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Egyptian Ambassador Calls for Scaling Up of Trade, Investment Relations with Nigeria

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Egyptian Ambassador Calls for Scaling Up of Trade, Investment Relations with Nigeria

By: Michael Mike

The Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Mohamed Fouad has said scaling up the trade and investment relations remains the priority of both governments of Egypt and Nigeria.

Speaking at the Commemoration of the 73rd Anniversary of the National Day of the Arab Republic of Egypt at the weekend in Abuja, the envoy said historical ties that link Egypt to Nigeria date back centuries ago with Cairo’s leading Al-Azhar AlShareef University established few centuries ago “The Borno Pavillion” dedicated to students arriving from Northern Nigeria.

He noted that generations of Nigerians sought knowledge at the esteemed University of Al Azhar, and as of today, hundreds of Nigerian students are enrolled in Egyptian universities, fostering a new generation of leaders who will contribute to the Nigerian society, and will undoubtedly strengthen the ties between our two nations.

He said: “We are proud of the growing people-to-people exchange between Egypt and Nigeria, that has significantly intensified over the last few years through tourism, business, and education, constituting a solid foundation for our bilateral relations.”

The envoy said: “Scaling up our trade and investment relations is a priority for our two governments. In that regard, we are proud of the numerous Egyptian companies that have been active in Nigeria for years, in areas such as construction, energy, and communications, contributing to Nigeria’s economic growth and creating employment opportunities.”

He noted that: “From security, countering-terrorism, to energy, communications, trade, and infrastructure, to agriculture, health care and education, our two countries are proceeding with determination on the path to forge a modern and forward-looking partnership anchored in our common values and shared objectives. “

The envoy added that: “Our respective compatriots in Egypt and in Nigeria play a crucial role in advancing the various facets of our partnership. They will continue to serve as the engine advancing our common objectives.”

He said: “Egypt, today, is a nation on the move. Under the “New Republic” Vision of His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, we are embarking on an ambitious journey of comprehensive development and modernization across all sectors.

“We are building new cities, investing in sustainable energy, expanding our industrial base, and prioritizing education and healthcare, all with the aim of creating a prosperous and inclusive future for all Egyptians. Our economy is diversifying, our infrastructure is rapidly evolving, and our commitment to regional stability and global cooperation remains steadfast.”

He added that: Today at a time of profound uncertainty, Egypt and Nigeria are cognizant of the imperative of redefining and further developing their bilateral relations to meet emerging common challenges and priorities.

“Against this backdrop, the third round of our bilateral political consultations convened for the first time at the level of Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Cairo last January. Our two Ministers of Foreign Affairs H.E Dr. Badr Abd-Elatty, and H.E Youssef Tuggar discussed numerous regional and bilateral issues of mutual interest. The two Ministers also signed a joint statement elevating our bilateral relations to the level of comprehensive partnership.”
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Don’t Stereotype an Ethnic Group as Cause of Fallout with Citizens of Foreign Country, Dabiri-Erewa Warns

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Don’t Stereotype an Ethnic Group as Cause of Fallout with Citizens of Foreign Country, Dabiri-Erewa Warns

By: Michael Mike

Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa has warned against stereotyping a particular ethnic group activities as the reason for recent fallout with citizens of a particular country.

She noted that crime has no federal character, insisting that Nigerians should not stereotype anyone based on their ethnic group.

Answering questions on Arise Newsday on Sunday morning, she said just as NIDCOM appeals to countries not to judge Nigerians based on the activities of a few people who may commit one crime or the other , Nigerians should also not judge any ethnic group based on the activities of a few bad elements

She said any one who commits a crime should be held accountable and punished for that crime , adding that “ the few bad ones should not spoil the numerous good.”

She also stressed that Nigeria will continue to ensure that no Nigerian is punished for an offence they did not commit, while appealing to Nigerians to obey the laws of other countries

She also stated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has instructed that the Nigerians stranded in CAR who were rescued and are now in the safe hands of the Embassy be brought back home safely

On the issue of Libya , she appealed to Nigerians to stop falling victims of agents and trafickers.and called on the media to project positive stories about Nigeria and Nigerians , adding that “bad news travels fast . Nobody will celebrate us but ourselves.”

Don’t Stereotype an Ethnic Group as Cause of Fallout with Citizens of Foreign Country, Dabiri-Erewa Warns

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Nigeria, Algeria Deepen Diplomatic Ties as New Embassy Chancery Project Commences in Algiers

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Nigeria, Algeria Deepen Diplomatic Ties as New Embassy Chancery Project Commences in Algiers

By: Michael Mike

Nigeria and Algeria have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations following a high-level diplomatic engagement between the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of both countries, Yusuf Tuggar (Nigeria), and Ahmed Attaf (Algeria).

According to a statement on Sunday by the spokesman of Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alkasim AbdulKadir, during the meeting, both Ministers exchanged views on shared strategic interests and pledged to deepen cooperation across political, economic, and multilateral platforms.

He disclosed that emphasis was placed on revitalizing the Nigeria-Algeria Binational Commission, enhancing regional coordination, and promoting African priorities on the global stage.

He said in a related development, Tuggar also performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a new Chancery building for the Embassy of Nigeria in Algiers.

He said the event, which held at Dely Ibrahim—the diplomatic enclave in the Algerian capital—was attended by senior officials, Embassy staff, and members of the Nigerian community.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Minister noted that the project marks a significant step in modernizing Nigeria’s diplomatic infrastructure. The new Chancery is designed with eco-friendly architecture, enhanced security features, and upgraded facilities to improve consular service delivery and working conditions for Foreign Service personnel.

He said the construction is scheduled to begin immediately and is expected to be completed within 18 months, in line with the Ministry’s broader reform agenda aimed at projecting Nigeria’s image abroad and fostering international cooperation

.Nigeria, Algeria Deepen Diplomatic Ties as New Embassy Chancery Project Commences in Algiers

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Nigeria, Benin Fine-Tune Framework for Economic Cooperation

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Nigeria, Benin Fine-Tune Framework for Economic Cooperation

By: Michael Mike

Nigeria and the Republic of Benin have commenced the process of operationalizing the economic cooperation agreement they signed during the recently held West Africa Economic Summit (WAES).

Both countries had at the maiden regional economic summit in June 2025, in Abuja, signed the memorandum of understanding.

At a two-day meeting of officials of both countries to work out the framework for the implementation of the economic cooperation agreement held August 1-2, in Cotonou, Republic of Benin, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, said the move was in line with the objectives of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

The Minister praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his foresight in conceptualizing the summit as catalyst for the economic growth of the region.

She described the bilateral engagement as timely emphasizing that the two countries were bound not only by geography, but by centuries of shared history, familial ties, culture, commerce and vibrant commercial activity.

The Minister on behalf of the Government and people of Nigeria, also congratulated the Republic of Benin on her 65th Independence anniversary noting that it was fitting the important dialogue took place at a moment of national pride and reflection for the country.

She stated that over the years, the bilateral relations between the two West African neighbours had grown from informal interactions to a structured, strategic partnership, but not without challenges—ranging from trafficking and smuggling to wider trans-border crimes.

She noted that both countries had always found solutions whenever they came together with sincerity and determination.

“Our shared successes affirm a truth we must never lose sight of: that cooperation, not conflict; dialogue, not suspicion, remain our best tools for overcoming obstacles,” the Minister said.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu declared that the visit of the Nigerian delegation was not merely a technical conversation but a symbolic and political commitment.

According to the Minister, it was a commitment to Nigerian people and to the ideals of economic development, peace, and stability.

Therefore, both countries must be driven by a shared vision and mutual trust as they seek to build a resilient and sustainable trade corridor between their nations.

She added that: “The frequency and depth of our engagements at the highest political levels underscore the strategic nature of our relationship. The recent efforts of Presidents Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Patrice Talon to recalibrate our bilateral cooperation, particularly in the areas of trade and border management, demonstrate a shared political will to resolve longstanding issues and usher in a new era of mutual prosperity. Both Presidents have shown remarkable leadership in guiding this partnership forward. Their engagements, particularly at the West Africa Economic Summit have reaffirmed the mutual desire to build a future anchored in trade, security, and economic transformation. You would recall the words of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who at the Summit said, “Nigeria and Benin are more than twins. We are the same people. Let us show the region that integration is possible.” I can boldly affirm that the discussions we’ve had from the 31st of July are an extension of that statement and vision.

“The bilateral meetings held in the course of this visit and the ones we will continue to have, offer yet another opportunity for us to deepen our dialogue and build on the gains made through various mechanisms; be it the Trade Facilitation Committee, the Joint Customs Working Groups, or the recent strides made in cross-border trade harmonization. We must seize this momentum to find practical and forward-looking solutions to the challenges that continue to constrain our trade and economic cooperation.

“It is important that we work together to ensure that policies and procedures on both sides of the border promote legitimate trade, encourage investment, and empower our business communities. Let us continue to align our customs and transit frameworks, streamline bottlenecks, and reinforce our joint commitment to regional integration under ECOWAS and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

On her part, Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, who presented the resolutions at the meeting noted that the economic cooperation would cover four thematic areas including trading services and private sector engagements, market access, customs procedures and trade facilitation, transport infrastructure and storage. Technical working groups are expected to deliberate of these areas and submit reports in Abuja in the coming weeks.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Benin, Mr. Olushegun Adjadi Bakari, said his country was committed to sustaining excellent mutually beneficial relations with Nigeria.

The Minister of Industry and Trade of the Republic of Benin, Mrs. Shadiya Alimatou Assouman, the Director General of Customs, the Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Amb. Nura Abba Rimi, the Director, Africa Affairs Department in Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Regina Ocheni, Director, Office of the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Innocent Iwejuo and members of the technical committee as well as members of both delegations, participated in the meetings.

Nigeria, Benin Fine-Tune Framework for Economic Cooperation

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