JUST-IN: Qatar Makes U-turn, Agrees To Host Proposed Business Meeting With Nigeria During Tinubu’s Visit

The State of Qatar has changed from its earlier position and announced it will now host a proposed Business and Investment Forum (BIF) with Nigeria on the sidelines of the visit of President Bola Tinubu to the oil-rich country on March 3, 2024.

This was contained in a Note Vebale sent to Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, following a previous request by the Protocol Department of the Ministry.

President Bola Tinubu is scheduled to visit the Gulf country between March 2 and 3, 2024, but in what appeared to be an embarrassing diplomatic situation for Nigeria, the Embassy of Qatar in Abuja had in a leaked correspondence with the Nigerian side, rejected the request for the BIF citing some reasons.

However, with the current change of situation, the Qatari Embassy said “Regarding the upcoming State Visit of Bola Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to Qatar from 2nd March-3rd march 2024 And with reference to your Note: Ref: ME.631/2024 dated 12/02/2024, which proposed holding of a Business and Investment Forum (IBIF) on the margins of Mr. Presidents’ visit to Qatar on March 2nd 2024.

“The Embassy has the honour to convey that the Qatar Chamber of Commerce will host the above mentioned event on 3rd March 2024 as proposed by the Nigerian side.”

The Forum is expected to attract a large number of Nigerian businessmen and investors.