The presidency refuted claims that the Qatari government snubbed President Bola Tinubu, confirming that the President will visit Qatar in March for bilateral discussions as planned in a statement issued on Saturday.

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, dismissed leaked memos as the work of “mischief makers.”

The leaked memo was related to a private sector-led Business and Investment Forum on the margins of President Tinubu’s state visit. Onanuga clarified, “The leaked diplomatic paper by mischief makers about an investment forum is not in any way a snub on President Tinubu by the Qatari government.”

He explained that the Business and Investment Forum, organized by the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA) and Qatar’s Chambers of Commerce and Industry, is part of the President’s state visit to strengthen bilateral economic cooperation. The State Visit is at the invitation of the Emir of Qatar, Sheik Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani.

Tinubu is expected to engage in high-level bilateral discussions with Qatari leaders during the visit. Onanuga emphasized, “It is not correct for anyone to insinuate that the Qatari authorities have snubbed the Nigerian leader over a business and investment forum.” The Presidency reaffirmed the commitment of both President Tinubu and the Emir of Qatar to enhance the cordial relationship between Nigeria and Qatar.