Dare Babalola
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu arrived in Nairobi, Kenya, in the early hours of Monday to participate in the Africa Forward Summit, a major continental gathering focused on economic transformation, trade, innovation and sustainable development.
According to a statement issued by the State House, the President’s aircraft landed at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport at about 12:18 a.m. local time.
Tinubu was received on arrival by Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi, Kenya’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Isaac Parashina, senior Kenyan government officials, and members of Nigeria’s diplomatic mission in the East African country.
The summit, jointly hosted by Kenyan President William Ruto and French President Emmanuel Macron, is expected to bring together African leaders, policymakers, business executives, development partners and other stakeholders from across the continent and beyond.
The event will focus on innovative strategies for economic growth, expanding intra-African trade, digital advancement, infrastructure development, climate resilience and shared prosperity.
The presidency said Tinubu’s participation reflects Nigeria’s continued commitment to African unity, stronger regional economic cooperation and strategic partnerships aimed at accelerating sustainable development across the continent.
During the summit, the Nigerian leader is expected to hold high-level bilateral and multilateral meetings to strengthen Nigeria’s diplomatic and economic ties with other African nations, while reaffirming the country’s leadership role in shaping the future of the continent.
The statement added that the visit also aligns with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda through strategic international engagement and support for Africa-led solutions to continental challenges.
President Tinubu is accompanied on the trip by several ministers and senior government officials, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu; Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari; Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola; Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole; and Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani.
Other members of the delegation include Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, Minister of State-designate for Foreign Affairs; Director General of the National Council on Climate Change, Mrs Omotenioye Majekodunmi; and Nigeria’s Ambassador to France, Ambassador Ayodele Oke.
