UPDATED: Qatar Reverses Decision, Agrees to Host Business Forum During Tinubu’s Visit

In a surprising turn of events, Qatar has reversed its initial decision and agreed to host the business and investment forum proposed by President Bola Tinubu during his upcoming visit to the Arab country on March 2, 2024.

The reversal came following a leaked memo that revealed Qatar’s earlier refusal, citing the unavailability of the country’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, Mohammed Bin Hamad Al-Thani, and the absence of a formal agreement between Qatar and Nigeria regarding the forum.

However, in a memo dated Sunday, February 25, 2024, addressed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Qatar embassy confirmed the hosting of the business parley during Tinubu’s visit. The embassy stated, “The Embassy has the honor to convey that the Qatar Chamber of Commerce will host the above-mentioned event on March 3, 2024, as proposed by the Nigerian side.”

Reacting to the initial rejection, the Presidency reiterated that Qatar’s refusal did not amount to a snub towards President Tinubu. Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, clarified that the forum’s cancellation was just one of many events preceding the President’s state visit to Qatar.

In a statement titled ‘President Bola Tinubu’s State Visit to Qatar,’ Onanuga emphasized Tinubu’s scheduled engagement in high-level bilateral discussions with Qatari leaders, covering diplomatic and economic issues.