Qatar: No Snub To Tinubu, Letter Leaked By Mischief Makers – Onanuga Clarifies

Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, has addressed a leaked diplomatic letter concerning President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s upcoming state visit to Qatar. The correspondence between the Embassy of Qatar in Abuja and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs focused on a private sector-led Business and Investment Forum planned to coincide with Tinubu’s visit between 2 and 3 March, 2024.

According to Onanuga, the leaked document, purportedly suggesting a snub by the Qatari government, is a misrepresentation. He emphasized that the Note Verbale was related to the forum, not the state visit, and was aimed at enhancing economic cooperation between the two countries.

The Business and Investment Forum, organized by the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) and Qatar’s Chambers of Commerce and Industry, seeks to facilitate discussions between business representatives from both nations. It will focus on exploring commercial and investment opportunities in various sectors.

Onanuga highlighted that President Tinubu’s visit is at the invitation of the Emir of Qatar, His Highness Sheik Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, and is intended to strengthen bilateral economic cooperation. He underscored that the Qatari authorities have not snubbed President Tinubu and that both leaders are committed to enhancing the relationship between Nigeria and Qatar.