The Federal Government has entered into a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, CEPA, with the United Arab Emirates aimed at easing trade by removing tariffs on selected goods.
Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday, a member of the Governing Board of the North East Development Commission, Rep. Sam Onuigbo, described the CEPA signed in Abu Dhabi as a major turning point.
He noted that the agreement was concluded during the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week held between January 11 and 15.
NAN reports that Onuigbo previously served as a member of the House of Representatives, representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North and South Federal Constituency, and was also Chairman of the House Committee on Climate Change during the 8th Assembly.
According to him, the CEPA, which was formalised in January 2026, will see the UAE remove tariffs on 7,315 Nigerian products.
He explained that 2,805 of these items, representing 38.3 per cent, will enjoy immediate duty-free access, while tariffs on the remaining products will be gradually eliminated over a three- to five-year period. The products affected span both agricultural and industrial sectors.
“The CEPA was signed in January 2026, and the UAE will eliminate tariffs on 7,315 Nigerian products. This includes immediate duty-free access for 2,805 products (38.3 per cent), with the remainder phased out over three to five years, covering agricultural and industrial goods.
“Similarly, under the Nigeria/UAE CEPA, also signed in January 2026, Nigeria has eliminated tariffs on 6,243 products imported from UAE. That agreement creates these wonderful opportunities between Nigerians and the Emirates,” he said.
Onuigbo stated that the scale of the agreement would significantly boost the business climate, allowing Nigerian entrepreneurs with verifiable businesses to establish offices in the UAE, work there for up to three months, and return home with expanded opportunities.
He praised President Bola Tinubu for driving the agreement, stressing that it was designed to reposition the country, improve the business environment, stimulate job creation, and enhance overall economic well-being.
“Nigeria is ready for business. Nigeria’s carbon market framework policy was unveiled again in Abu Dhabi.
Nigeria is a nation of nearly 250 million people and has had, over the years, the challenge of not having enough energy or power to be able to attain its economic and industrialisation targets.
“And because of that, Nigeria has been engaging in different activities, for instance, the Energy Transition Plan, enactment of the Climate Change Act, and the Electricity Act, which the President signed barely eight days after he assumed office in 2023.
“This shows the importance of addressing the energy gap, having enough energy, and electricity is a fundamental point to developing industrially, which Nigeria deems necessary.”
Onuigbo further applauded Nigeria’s active participation at the Abu Dhabi summit, saying it would unlock broader global economic opportunities and strengthen cooperation between Nigeria and the UAE.
He added that the President’s engagement with international partners would help tackle the impacts of climate change while also supporting Nigeria’s economic growth in 2026.
NAN
FG, UAE seal trade pact, remove tariffs on thousands of products
FG, UAE seal trade pact, remove tariffs on thousands of products
