Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Thursday welcomed the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ambassador to Nigeria, Salem Saeed Musa AlShamsi, at Lagos House, Marina, during a courtesy visit aimed at boosting bilateral economic cooperation.
According to the Governor, discussions during the meeting revolved around deepening trade relations, attracting foreign investment, and unlocking opportunities that would directly impact the lives of Lagos residents.
Posting on his official X handle, Sanwo-Olu wrote: “Today, I received H.E. Salem Saeed Musa AlShamsi, the UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, on a courtesy visit at Lagos House, Marina. We had a fruitful discussion on strengthening ties between Lagos and the UAE, with a focus on trade, investment, and opportunities that will benefit Lagosians.”
The Lagos State Government has in recent years intensified efforts to position the state as Africa’s hub for business and innovation. Officials say partnerships with global economies like the UAE, particularly Dubai—which has emerged as a global model for commerce, aviation, and tourism—are crucial to Sanwo-Olu’s “Greater Lagos” agenda.
Observers note that such collaborations could open doors for increased investment in infrastructure, technology, real estate, tourism, and logistics—sectors in which the UAE already has a strong global footprint.
The UAE envoy expressed his country’s readiness to work closely with Lagos, highlighting the potential for knowledge sharing and partnerships that would benefit both economies. He noted that Lagos, as Nigeria’s commercial heartbeat, offers a strategic platform for UAE businesses seeking to expand into Africa.
Diplomatic analysts also view the engagement as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen Nigeria–UAE relations, which have faced challenges in recent years over visa restrictions, aviation disagreements, and trade barriers. The Lagos meeting is being seen as a positive step toward building trust and unlocking new areas of cooperation.
For Lagosians, the Governor said, the ultimate goal is to ensure that such diplomatic ties translate into tangible benefits—more jobs, increased investments, and better opportunities in the state’s fast-growing economy.