By Ayo Ayodele
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu arrived in Nairobi, Kenya, early Monday to participate in the Africa Forward Summit, a high-level gathering focused on economic transformation, regional cooperation, and sustainable development across the continent.
Bola Ahmed Tinubu landed at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport at about 12:18 a.m. local time and was received by Musalia Mudavadi, alongside senior Kenyan government officials and members of Nigeria’s diplomatic mission in Kenya.
According to a statement issued on Monday by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, the summit is being co-hosted by William Ruto and Emmanuel Macron.
The statement said President Tinubu’s participation reflects Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening African unity, deepening regional economic cooperation, and building strategic partnerships aimed at accelerating sustainable development across the continent.
The Africa Forward Summit is expected to bring together African leaders, policymakers, business executives, development partners, and other stakeholders to discuss issues including trade expansion, digital innovation, infrastructure development, climate resilience, and economic growth.
During the summit, President Tinubu is also expected to hold bilateral and multilateral meetings with other African leaders and international partners as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s diplomatic and economic ties and reinforce the country’s leadership role on the continent.
The Nigerian delegation includes the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu; Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari; Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola; Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole; and Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani.
Other officials on the trip include Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, Director-General of the National Council on Climate Change, Mrs Omotenioye Majekodunmi, and Nigeria’s Ambassador to France, Ambassador Ayodele Oke.