Qatar has reversed its earlier decision not to host the business and investment forum proposed by President Bola Tinubu during his scheduled visit on March 2, 2024. The change in stance came after a leaked memo revealed Qatar’s initial refusal, citing the unavailability of its Minister of Commerce and Industry, Mohammed Bin Hamad Al-Thani. The Qatar embassy in Abuja had also denied any agreement with Nigeria regarding the investment forum.
In a letter received by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Nigeria on February 23, 2024, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in Qatar apologized for rejecting the proposed business visit. The letter confirmed that the Qatar Chamber of Commerce would host the business and investment forum on March 3, 2024, as proposed by the Nigerian side.
The Presidency responded to the earlier alleged rejection, stating that the Qatari government did not snub President Tinubu. The Presidency clarified that the investment forum was just one of several events scheduled ahead of the President’s state visit to Qatar.
In a statement titled “President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to Qatar,” Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, explained that Tinubu would proceed with the state visit as scheduled. During the visit, the Nigerian leader was expected to engage in high-level bilateral discussions with Qatari leaders on diplomatic and economic matters.
The confirmation from Qatar now aligns with the original plans for the business and investment forum during President Tinubu’s visit.
