RismadarVoice Reporters
January 27, 2026
The Federal Government of Nigeria has signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to remove tariffs on thousands of products, creating new opportunities for trade and investment between the two countries.
Rep. Sam Onuigboin, a member of the Governing Board of the North East Development Commission, described the agreement as a “game changer” in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday.
The agreement was signed during the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, held from January 11–15, 2026.
According to Onuigbo, the UAE will eliminate tariffs on 7,315 Nigerian products, including 2,805 products (38.3 per cent) immediately duty-free, while the remaining items will have tariffs phased out over three to five years.
The products include agricultural and industrial goods.
Similarly, Nigeria has removed tariffs on 6,243 products imported from the UAE, further strengthening bilateral trade ties.
Onuigbo said the agreement will facilitate an enabling environment for Nigerian businesspeople to establish offices in the UAE, work there for up to three months, return home, boosting entrepreneurship and employment opportunities.
He praised President Bola Tinubu for the initiative, noting that it aims to reposition Nigeria economically, expand employment, and attract investment.
“Nigeria is ready for business,” Onuigbo said, adding that the country’s carbon market framework policy was also highlighted at the Abu Dhabi summit. He emphasized that addressing energy and electricity challenges remains critical for achieving Nigeria’s industrialization goals.
Onuigbo further noted that the summit would create global economic opportunities and strengthen cooperation between Nigeria and the UAE in tackling climate change and fostering economic growth in 2026.
