By Adesakin Adefemi
President Bola Tinubu has arrived in Nairobi, Kenya, to attend the Africa Forward Summit co-hosted by Kenyan President William Ruto and French President Emmanuel Macron. The Nigerian leader touched down at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in the early hours of Monday.
Tinubu was received by Musalia Mudavadi, Kenya’s cabinet secretary for foreign and diaspora affairs, and Isaac Parashina, Kenya’s high commissioner to Nigeria. Senior Kenyan officials and members of Nigeria’s diplomatic mission were also present to welcome the delegation.
The summit brings together heads of state, policymakers, business leaders, and development partners from Africa and beyond. Discussions will focus on economic transformation, trade expansion, digital innovation, infrastructure development, climate resilience, and strategies for shared prosperity across the continent.
According to a statement from presidency spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu will take part in high-level bilateral and multilateral meetings aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s diplomatic and economic ties with other African nations. The president is also expected to reaffirm Nigeria’s role in shaping the continent’s future.
Onanuga said Tinubu’s participation reflects the administration’s commitment to African-led solutions and its Renewed Hope Agenda through strategic international engagement. The summit is seen as a platform to align continental priorities with global partnerships.
The Nigerian delegation includes Bianca Ojukwu, minister of foreign affairs; Abubakar Kyari, minister of agriculture and food security; Adegboyega Oyetola, minister of marine and blue economy; Balarabe Lawal, minister of environment; Jumoke Oduwole, minister of industry, trade and investment; and Bosun Tijani, minister of communications, innovation and digital economy.
Also in the delegation are Aisha Rimi, CEO of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council; Sola Enikanolaiye, minister of state designate for foreign affairs; Omotenioye Majekodunmi, director general of the National Council on Climate Change; and Ayodele Oke, Nigeria’s ambassador to France.
The summit is expected to produce commitments on infrastructure projects, digital economy cooperation, and climate action initiatives that could influence Nigeria’s economic and environmental policies in the coming years.
Tinubu’s presence at the meeting underscores Nigeria’s push to attract investment, expand trade, and strengthen partnerships on key issues affecting Africa’s development agenda.
