The Emirates News Agency reported that the three UAE leaders dispatched separate cables to President Tinubu expressing their sincere congratulations on the milestone. In the messages they wished him continued success in leading his country while extending hopes for greater prosperity and stability to the Nigerian people as a whole. The exchange of greetings on this occasion underscores the warm bilateral relationship that has matured across political economic and cultural spheres since formal ties began.
Emirates News Agency reporting highlighted how the congratulations align with a pattern of regular high-level contacts between Abu Dhabi and Abuja that have accelerated in recent years. The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that diplomatic relations were established in 1982 paving the way for steady expansion in cooperation that now includes multiple joint committees. These mechanisms have helped advance collaboration in areas ranging from trade and investment to security and sustainable development.
UAE Ministry of Foreign Trade data shows non-oil bilateral trade climbed to five billion dollars in 2025 representing a rise from 4.3 billion dollars the year before. The two governments signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement in January 2026 during President Tinubu’s visit to Abu Dhabi an accord expected to eliminate barriers and open fresh opportunities in technology agriculture energy and logistics. Officials from both sides have described the pact as a foundation for doubling trade volumes within the next few years.
High-level visits have reinforced the momentum with President Tinubu participating in Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week and earlier COP28 gatherings where discussions with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan focused on shared priorities. Sheikh Shakhbout bin Nahyan Al Nahyan the UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs has also traveled to Nigeria to advance dialogue on economic and consular matters. Nigerian foreign ministry accounts indicate these engagements helped resolve prior visa and aviation hurdles resulting in more than fifteen thousand Nigerian visits to the UAE in the past year alone.
The presence of a substantial Nigerian community in the UAE has further deepened people-to-people links with many residents contributing to business professional and educational exchanges. Recent steps include the forthcoming launch of Etihad Airways services to additional Nigerian cities and the entry of First Abu Dhabi Bank into the Lagos market. Such developments illustrate the breadth of ties that annual Independence Day messages both reflect and help sustain.
