Doha, Qatar – Qatari authorities have declined Nigerian President Bola Tinubu’s request to visit the country and hold a business and investment forum on March 2nd and 3rd. The decision, conveyed in a letter to Nigeria’s foreign ministry, cited the lack of a formal investment promotion agreement between the two nations and scheduling conflicts within the Qatari government.
While expressing regret, Qatar’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry pointed out the absence of a signed agreement on investment promotion and protection between Qatar and Nigeria. Additionally, the ministry highlighted that the proposed dates coincided with both the Qatari commerce minister’s planned overseas commitments and the nation’s hosting of a web summit, limiting their availability to engage with the Nigerian delegation.
The letter further stated, “The State of Qatar will be hosting a web summit during the suggested period, and the state’s authorities will be preoccupied with this event.”