Bola Ahmed Tinubu

The declaration comes amid fresh political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, particularly over the cross-party “Rainbow Coalition” being promoted by Wike to mobilise support for President Tinubu’s re-election.

Tinubu made the declaration in his address to the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Thursday, which was delivered on his behalf by Vice President Kashim Shettima, who is leading Nigeria’s delegation to the global gathering.

The agreements were signed in Paris, France, on Wednesday, with the proposed Gateway Deep Seaport and Ogun State Blue Marine Special Economic Zone expected to attract an initial investment of more than $7 billion.

Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged Nigerians living abroad to take a more active stake in the country’s economic transformation, asking the Diaspora to invest capital, transfer expertise and help project Nigeria’s interests in the global economy.

The former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Professor Chidi Odinkalu, has raised a constitutional red flag over President Bola Tinubu’s prolonged absence from Nigeria, warning that the country cannot be run indefinitely from abroad.

A gas resource discovered more than five decades ago has finally received the investment green light, as TotalEnergies and its Nigerian partner, AMNI International, take the Final Investment Decision (FID) on the $800 million Ima Gas Project.

President Bola Tinubu has called for a fresh continental offensive against the exploitation of Africa’s critical mineral resources, demanding an end to the export of raw minerals and a coordinated strategy to keep more of the wealth generated by the continent’s resources in Africa.

Tinubu departed Nigeria on August 30 to begin his working vacation in London. After spending a week in the United Kingdom, he proceeded to Paris, France, where he held meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré.

In a heartfelt birthday message issued on Monday, September 21, 2026, the President said Oluremi had stood by him through different seasons of their lives, sharing in both the challenges and triumphs that came with his personal and public journey.

The decision ends weeks of speculation over the President’s attendance at the high-level diplomatic event, after earlier official indications suggested that Tinubu would travel to New York and address the General Debate.