President Tharman Shanmugaratnam of Singapore has invited Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to visit Singapore as both countries seek to strengthen bilateral relations and broaden areas of cooperation.

Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, disclosed the invitation in a statement issued by the Nigerian Mission House in New York on Thursday, 17 September 2026.

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According to Ibrahim, Singapore’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Burhan Gafoor, delivered the invitation in a letter from President Shanmugaratnam during a visit to the Nigerian Permanent Mission House.

Ibrahim received the letter and thanked the Singaporean government for the invitation, assuring Gafoor that the message would be conveyed to President Tinubu.

The Nigerian envoy said Tinubu would make time to visit Singapore in the nearest future, although no specific date for the proposed visit was announced.

The development comes as Nigeria continues to seek stronger international partnerships around investment, economic development and institutional cooperation.

Ibrahim said the economic reforms being pursued by the Tinubu administration had attracted international interest, including from Singapore.

The Nigerian ambassador also highlighted the two countries’ shared interest in multilateralism and national development, suggesting that a presidential visit could provide an opportunity to deepen engagement in these areas.

In drawing a comparison between Nigeria’s reform efforts and Singapore’s development experience, Ibrahim referenced the legacy of Singapore’s late former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew.

Singapore’s transformation under Lee Kuan Yew has frequently been cited internationally in discussions about long-term economic development, public administration and infrastructure.

The proposed visit would offer both governments an opportunity to discuss areas of mutual interest and explore practical avenues for closer cooperation.

For Nigeria, stronger engagement with Singapore could also support efforts to attract investment and exchange expertise in areas relevant to economic development.

The invitation comes shortly after President Tinubu’s diplomatic engagements in Europe and amid continued efforts by his administration to strengthen Nigeria’s international economic partnerships.