Tinubu hails Nigeria–UAE industrial deal as BUA signs MoU with AD Ports, MAIR group
President Bola Tinubu has described the newly signed Memorandum of Understanding between BUA Group and UAE-based AD Ports Group and MAIR Group as a major milestone in Nigeria–United Arab Emirates economic relations, saying the agreement signals deepening industrial and trade cooperation between both countries.
The agreement, signed in Abu Dhabi, is a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between BUA Group, AD Ports Group, and MAIR Group. It focuses on collaboration in sugar refining, agro-industrial development, and integrated global logistics solutions.
According to a statement by Bayo Onanuga, spokesperson to President Tinubu on Monday, the partnership is expected to lead to the development of sugar refining and advanced logistics infrastructure in the UAE, while strengthening trade flows between West Africa and the Gulf region. Officials say the initiative will improve value addition, boost supply chain resilience, and deepen structured trade links.
Tinubu described the MoU as a tangible outcome of renewed diplomatic engagement between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates under his administration. He noted that recent high-level engagements with UAE leaders prioritised trade, investment, infrastructure, and food security.
“Strategic diplomacy must translate into measurable economic gains,” the President said, adding that the agreement reflects growing international confidence in Nigeria’s reform agenda and its push for export-led industrialisation.
He also praised BUA Group’s Chairman, Abdul Samad Rabiu, for continued investment in Nigeria’s economy. Tinubu highlighted the company’s existing industrial operations, including integrated food processing and investments in port infrastructure, as a foundation for expanded global trade integration.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening bilateral economic partnerships aimed at attracting investment, expanding exports, and supporting Nigerian businesses to compete globally.
