President Bola Tinubu has returned to Abuja following his attendance at the Arab-Islamic Summit held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
His plane touched down at Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport at approximately 8 p.m. on Tuesday, where he was welcomed by Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, several ministers, and senior security officials.
The summit, organized by Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, brought together leaders from Arab and Islamic nations to address pressing issues in the Middle East, with a focus on the current Israel-Palestine crisis. The gathering aimed to promote dialogue and explore paths toward long-term peace in the region.
During the summit, President Tinubu voiced Nigeria’s deep concern over the ongoing violence in Gaza and the surrounding regions. He reiterated Nigeria’s call for an immediate ceasefire and urged all parties to respect civilians’ basic rights.
Tinubu also advocated for a two-state solution, emphasizing that both Israelis and Palestinians deserve self-determination and peace.
According to Tinubu, Nigeria stands firm on its position, considering the two-state solution as a hopeful path forward. “Empty condemnations,” he warned, would not be enough to resolve a conflict that has “persisted for far too long.”
The president praised King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for hosting the summit, calling it a crucial step toward renewing peace efforts. He assured the gathering that Nigeria, with its own historical struggles, is committed to supporting global peace initiatives.
President Tinubu was joined by notable Nigerian officials, including Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, Foreign Minister; Nuhu Ribadu, National Security Adviser; Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation; and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Mohammed Mohammed. Together, they reinforced Nigeria’s commitment to promoting stability and cooperation in the Middle East.
