Qatari authorities have rejected President Bola Tinubu’s bid to visit Qatar for a business and investment forum, citing the absence of a binding investment agreement between Qatar and Nigeria.
The refusal, communicated in a letter to Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Ministry, highlighted Qatar’s scheduling conflicts and its minister’s official missions abroad during the proposed visit dates.
“The Embassy has the honour to inform that the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in Qatar apologises that it will not be able to hold a Business and Investment Forum as proposed by Nigerian side” because “there is no any agreement signed between the State of Qatar and the Federal Republic of Nigeria on Investment Promotion and Protection,” the letter stated.
The Gulf nation’s decision, compounded by hosting its own web summit simultaneously, raises questions about its willingness to foster economic ties with Nigeria.
“The State of Qatar will be hosting a web summit during the suggested period and the state’s authorities will be preoccupied with this event,” the letter indicated.
The controversy surrounding the rejection is reminiscent of last year’s UAE visa ban controversy following Tinubu’s visit to Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
