Qatari authorities have rejected President Bola Tinubu's request to visit the nation and organize a business and investment forum.
In a letter to the ministry of foreign affairs on Thursday, the Qatari government cited the absence of a legally binding agreement between Qatar and Nigeria for investment promotion as a reason for being unable to host Mr. Tinubu and the proposed forum on March 2 and 3.
Additionally, the letter mentioned prior commitments of the Qatari Ministry of Commerce on the specified dates for Mr. Tinubu's intended visit.
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The letter sent to the foreign affairs ministry on February 22 read:
"The Embassy has the honour to inform that 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” because “there is no any agreement signed between the State of Qatar and the Federal Republic of Nigeria on Investment Promotion and Protection"
Qatar further revealed that its commerce and industry minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim al-Thani “will be carrying out official missions outside the country during the upcoming visit period” which makes him unavailable to meet with the Nigerian leader.
It added that its officials would be too busy as Qatar will be hosting its own “web summit” the same time the Nigeria President plans to visit.
“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,” the letter indicated.
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