Tinubu departs on Sunday for Joint Arab-Islamic Summit in Saudi Arabia

President Bola Tinubu is set to depart Nigeria on Sunday to attend the Joint Arab-Islamic Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The summit, scheduled to begin on Monday, will center on the ongoing situation in the Middle East. Tinubu’s participation comes at the invitation of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja on Sunday for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to attend the Joint Arab-Islamic Summit, which will focus on the current situation in the Middle East,” presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga said in a statement on Saturday.

“The Summit will commence on Monday, November 11, 2024. It is being held at the invitation of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and follows last year’s summit in the same Saudi city.

“During the summit, President Tinubu is expected to address the ongoing Israel-Palestinian conflict, emphasising Nigeria’s strong call for an immediate ceasefire and the urgent need for a peaceful resolution.”

At the event, Nigeria will be advocating renewed efforts to “revive the two-state solution as a pathway to lasting peace in the region,” Onanuga said.

Tinubu will not be traveling alone. Other government officials like the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar; National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu; the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris; and the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Mohammed Mohammed, will be part of his entourage to Saudi Arabia.

“After the conclusion of the summit, President Tinubu will return to Abuja,” the presidential spokesman said.