Late President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure marked a transformative era for Nigeria’s foreign policy in the Middle East, weaving a complex tapestry of alliances and challenges. While his administration worked to deepen strategic and economic ties with Saudi Arabia, it also navigated tensions with the United Arab Emirates and managed critical relationships with Qatar, Iran, and the Palestinian cause. This multifaceted approach highlights Buhari’s efforts to balance Nigeria’s economic ambitions, security concerns, and diplomatic principles across a region rife with geopolitical complexities.
From the onset of his presidency, Buhari prioritized strong engagement with Saudi Arabia, recognizing its potential as both an economic partner and an ally in regional security. One of the highlights of this relationship was Buhari’s attendance at the Future Investment Initiative Summit in Riyadh, often referred to as “Davos in the Desert.” There, he met with King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), where he extended invitations to major Saudi investors, including ARAMCO, to take part in revitalizing Nigeria’s aging oil infrastructure. Saudi officials responded positively, expressing readiness to channel multi-billion-dollar investments into Nigeria’s energy and non-oil sectors.
This economic diplomacy culminated in the decision to establish a Saudi–Nigeria Strategic Council, a biannual bilateral platform aimed at fast-tracking cooperation across multiple sectors including energy, investment, security, and religious affairs. The Buhari administration began developing a framework to operationalize the council’s goals, marking a structured approach to bilateral engagement rarely seen in prior administrations. The strategic council reflected Buhari’s vision of diplomacy that goes beyond ceremonial meetings and is anchored in long-term policy alignment and mutual economic gain.
On the international energy stage, Buhari was vocal in acknowledging Saudi Arabia’s role in stabilizing global oil prices in a way that benefited Nigeria. During periods of OPEC negotiations, particularly in 2020 and 2021, Saudi Arabia often accommodated Nigeria’s economic sensitivities. Buhari publicly thanked the Saudi government for recognizing Nigeria’s developmental challenges and supporting flexible production targets, particularly during the economic disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic. This appreciation, while diplomatically symbolic, underscored Nigeria’s reliance on favorable international oil terms to fund its domestic priorities.
Security cooperation also formed a cornerstone of Buhari’s Middle East policy. In a bold and somewhat controversial move, Nigeria under Buhari joined the Saudi-led Islamic Military Alliance to Fight Terrorism (IMAFT) in December 2015. The coalition, composed of over 40 Muslim-majority countries, was formed to counteract terrorism in the Muslim world, particularly from ISIS and other extremist factions. Buhari justified Nigeria’s involvement by pointing to the country’s ongoing battle against Boko Haram, asserting that Nigeria must not be left out of any global coalition against terror. However, the decision faced criticism at home, particularly among non-Muslim stakeholders, who feared Nigeria’s secular constitution was being sidelined in favor of religious alignment. Nonetheless, the move further established Nigeria as a regional security actor aligned with major players like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Pakistan.
While Buhari’s Saudi Arabia diplomacy flourished, his administration struggled to maintain smooth relations with another major Gulf state: the United Arab Emirates. Beginning in late 2021, tensions between the two countries escalated, resulting in what became a full-blown diplomatic standoff. The initial spark came in December 2021, when Nigeria reduced Emirates Airlines’ flight frequencies after the UAE refused to grant Nigerian carrier Air Peace full access to Sharjah International Airport. What began as a technical disagreement soon spiraled into broader diplomatic tension, with the UAE suspending visas for Nigerian passport holders and limiting the operations of Nigerian nationals on its territory.
The situation worsened in October 2022, when the UAE imposed a blanket visa ban on Nigerians, citing security and compliance concerns. This unprecedented move had a significant impact on thousands of Nigerian travelers, businesspeople, and residents in the UAE. At the same time, Emirates Airlines suspended all flights to Nigeria, citing unpaid revenues of over $85 million trapped in Nigerian banks due to foreign exchange restrictions. The Buhari administration, caught in a storm of economic and diplomatic challenges, was criticized for not acting swiftly enough to resolve the airline payment dispute, a key factor in worsening the relationship.
To address the growing crisis, President Buhari intervened directly in February 2023, appealing to UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to lift the visa ban and restore normal diplomatic ties. In his outreach, Buhari emphasized the historic friendship between both countries and pledged cooperation in law enforcement. He also committed that Nigerian authorities would take firm action against any citizens found engaging in illegal activity in the UAE. Despite these overtures, the diplomatic standoff persisted well into 2023, with only minor progress achieved before Buhari’s term ended in May 2023.
In a rare show of bipartisan unity, Nigeria’s National Assembly and Senate became actively involved in resolving the dispute. Hearings were held between November 2022 and April 2023, where lawmakers criticized the executive for allowing the situation to escalate and called for urgent negotiations. Meanwhile, Nigerian citizens in the UAE continued to bear the brunt, with over 400 individuals deported during the period between late 2022 and mid-2023 as visa restrictions tightened.
In addition to the challenges and successes with Saudi Arabia and the UAE, Buhari’s administration sought to broaden Nigeria’s Middle East engagements by pursuing diplomatic and economic ties with Qatar and Iran. In February 2016, Buhari visited Qatar’s capital, Doha, meeting with Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to attract investment in infrastructure, energy, and agriculture. Talks also aimed to enhance air transport links, signaling Nigeria’s openness to diversify its partnerships beyond traditional allies.
Meanwhile, relations with Iran were revived through the resumption of the Nigeria–Iran Joint Commission in 2016, focusing on trade, education, and scientific cooperation. Although U.S. sanctions and regional rivalries constrained deeper engagement, Buhari’s pragmatic outreach to Iran underscored a balanced foreign policy approach that prioritized Nigeria’s strategic interests over sectarian divides.
Regarding the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Buhari’s administration maintained Nigeria’s historical support for Palestine, endorsing a two-state solution with East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state. Nigeria aligned with the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the Non-Aligned Movement in opposing Israeli settlement expansion and advocating for renewed peace talks. During the May 2021 Gaza conflict, Buhari called for restraint and an immediate ceasefire, highlighting Nigeria’s solidarity with the Palestinian cause. At the same time, Nigeria sustained discreet cooperation with Israel in areas like agriculture, technology, and security training. This cautious engagement allowed Nigeria to benefit from Israeli expertise without compromising its principled stance on Palestinian self-determination.
The contrasting experiences with Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and other Middle Eastern countries reflect Buhari’s broader Middle East posture. On one hand, his administration successfully aligned with Saudi Arabia through structured diplomacy, shared security interests, and reciprocal investment planning. On the other hand, the deteriorating situation with the UAE revealed critical gaps in conflict resolution and crisis diplomacy. The inability to quickly resolve the Emirates flight debt or to manage consular services for Nigerians abroad exposed weaknesses in Nigeria’s diplomatic machinery—issues handed over to the Tinubu administration.
Yet, Buhari’s legacy in Middle East diplomacy is far from one-dimensional. His administration demonstrated that Nigeria could play an active role in shaping regional security frameworks while also positioning itself as an attractive investment destination for Gulf capital. His decision to join the Saudi-led coalition against terrorism elevated Nigeria’s international visibility. His persistence in courting energy partnerships reinforced Nigeria’s relevance in OPEC politics. These moves reflected a clear departure from the more reactive foreign policy posture of previous governments.
As this column marks the third tribute to President Muhammadu Buhari, it is evident that his Middle East policy was defined by ambition, pragmatism, and, at times, necessary caution. The alliance with Saudi Arabia yielded diplomatic and economic dividends thanks to deliberate outreach and follow-through. In contrast, the UAE row offered sobering lessons on the importance of proactive crisis management, reciprocal respect, and the protection of citizens abroad.
In sum, Buhari’s engagement with the Middle East underscores a larger vision of Nigeria as both a regional leader and a global participant. His administration’s efforts, whether successful or challenged, laid groundwork that future Nigerian leaders must refine, adapt, and expand upon. In a world where diplomacy is both delicate and decisive, Buhari’s legacy in the Middle East offers a blueprint and a warning for how Nigeria might chart its course among the world’s shifting alliances.
