The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has pledged its unwavering support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda, expressing its commitment to contribute to efforts aimed at reducing humanitarian crises and eradicating poverty in Nigeria by 2030.

The UAE’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Salem Saeed Al-Shamsi, made this announcement during a working visit with Dr. Betta Edu, the Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, in Abuja. Al-Shamsi, who described Nigeria as his second home, highlighted the UAE’s dedication to both countries. “Nigerians are the nicest people I have ever met,” he confessed.

The Ambassador assured the Minister that he would relay the federal government’s request for support in addressing hunger, poverty, and humanitarian challenges to the appropriate authorities, emphasizing the effectiveness of the partnership.

In addition, the UAE Ambassador extended an invitation to the Minister to attend the upcoming UN Climate Change Cop 28, organized by the UAE government. He explained that this event will bring together global leaders committed to addressing climate change issues, which frequently lead to natural disasters, humanitarian crises, and poverty.

In response, the Minister emphasized that her visit to the Ambassador was a follow-up to discussions held with the UAE government during the United Nations General Assembly meeting.

The Minister stated that bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and the UAE has allowed both countries to recognize their respective areas of common comparative advantages.

Furthermore, the Minister argued that climate change is a key factor contributing to the humanitarian and poverty crises in Nigeria.

“With increasing floods, the drying up of the Lake Chad basin, and other natural disasters resulting from climate change, many Nigerians have been displaced and have lost their means of sustenance, leading to humanitarian crises and poverty,” explained Edu.

The Minister assured the Ambassador that she would be joining President Bola Tinubu’s delegation to attend the 28th United Nations Climate Change conference, known as Cop 28.

Edu emphasized the urgent need for the UAE’s support in addressing climate change and its devastating impact on Nigeria’s population. She highlighted the various consequences, including rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, droughts, desertification, rising sea levels, erosion, floods, thunderstorms, bushfires, landslides, land degradation, extreme weather events, loss of biodiversity, and the drying of the Lake Chad basin.