The Colloquium—now in its 11th year—brings together experts in the private and public sectors to discuss creative solutions to some of Nigeria’s nagging problems.

Organised annually to coincide with the birthday of APC godfather, Bola Tinubu (who turned 67 this year), BATC also brings party and government chieftains under one roof and is one of the most eagerly anticipated political events on the calendar.

Osinbajo, Tinubu and Buhari share a joke at 10th BAT Colloquium (Presidency)

President Buhari is named as Chairman of the occasion, but he is nowhere near the venue of the event. The president is being represented by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.ADVERTISING

Buhari was present last year though

Buhari flew all the way to Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital, last year to attend the 10th BATC which held at the Eko Convention Center, as he set out his stall for an energy sapping re-election campaign.

Buhari takes to the stage at the 10th Bola Tinubu Colloquium (Presidency)

Buhari was also Chairman of the 10th BATC which held on March 29, 2018.

At the time, the event provided the president and APC chieftains the opportunity to reel out achievements of the APC administration and make cases for why they deserved another term in office.

Tinubu and Buhari had just mended fences when the 10th BATC came around, and it was speculated at the time that the Nigerian president honoured the Southwest godfather’s invitation because he badly needed votes from the region to win a second term in office.

Buhari defeated opposition candidate Atiku Abubakar to win the February 23, 2019 presidential election.