The gulf state of Qatar rejected Nigeria’s proposed business meeting. What has followed is reactions about the reason for the diplomatic snub. A leaked diplomatic correspondence has however shown the reason Qatar rejected Nigeria’s proposed business meeting. The Explainer learnt it was due to the absence of an agreement between the two countries on business. The Explainer gathered that the State of Qatar turned down the bid by the Nigerian government to hold a Business and Investment Forum (BIF) on the sidelines of President Bola Tinubu’s proposed visit to the oil-rich country between March 2 and 3, 2024.
In what appears to be an embarrassing diplomatic situation, the leaked document showed that the Embassy of Qatar informed the Nigerian government of its position. In the letter dated February 22, 2024, 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 due to certain reasons.
The document said; “Unfortunately, there is no any agreement signed between the State of Qatar and the Federal Republic of Nigeria on Investment Promotion and Protection. His Excellency, the Minister of Commerce and Industry will be carrying out official missions outside the country during the upcoming visit period.
“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.
It added that; “the Embassy of the State of Qatar avails itself of this opportunity to renew the Protocol Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria the assurances of its highest consideration.”
However, Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday said Tinubu’s visit will be held as planned. The Ministry “confirms the forthcoming visit by His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the State of Qatar on 2-3 March, as scheduled.
“The visit will include bilateral discussions at the highest level across a full range of strategic, diplomatic, and economic issues,” a Saturday statement by its spokesperson Francisca Omayuli read.
Reacting to public discussions , the Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar said: “The Federal Republic of Nigeria and the State of Qatar have a long history of friendship and close bilateral relations. The forthcoming visit to Doha by HE President Tinubu will help build on this important relationship.”
Also, the presidential media aide Bayo Onanuga said the leaked memo claiming Qatari authorities snubbed Tinubu is the handiwork of “mischief makers”. “The leaked diplomatic paper by mischief makers about an investment forum is not in any way a snub on President Tinubu by the Qatari government,” he said in an earlier statement.
The Explainer however gathered that attracting business deals and foreign investments are key targets for the Nigerian authorities. Part of the outcry comes from concerns that if the foreign investment discussions have been thrown out of the window, the entire trip would be of no use. Nigerians would view the trip as another jamboree and waste of taxpayers money. The Explainer has also reported extensively about how Nigeria’s ongoing forex crisis has forced government to scramble for options to shore up liquidity. The national currency, the Naira, has taken a severe beating, leading to serious losses in its value. What Nigeria will benefit from a trip of such magnitude with no focus on the business and foreign investment benefits is left to be seen.