- Nigeria seeks to elevate Thailand relations into a broader strategic partnership.
- Both nations aim to boost cooperation in agriculture, energy, defense, and ICT.
- Nigeria pushes to finalize pending agreements to deepen bilateral cooperation.
Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar confirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to enhancing Nigeria-Thailand relations into a strategic partnership that includes political, economic, and cultural cooperation. Tuggar revealed this in a statement released by Alkasim Abdulkadir, the Special Assistant for Media and Communications Strategy, following bilateral discussions with Thailand’s counterpart, Sihasak Phuangketkeow.
Tuggar expressed his congratulations to Sihasak on his new role and extended his sympathies for the recent national tragedies, such as the death of the Queen Mother and those affected by natural disasters. He conveyed gratitude for the friendly relations between Nigeria and Thailand and recognized Nigeria's aspiration to enhance the partnership to a strategic level in political, economic, and cultural areas.
Both parties acknowledged the previous high-profile visits and committed to preserving the memory via mutual exchanges. The minister suggested diversification via agro-processing and energy projects, emphasizing Nigeria's crude oil exports alongside Thailand's rice and machinery exports, and also addressing possibilities for collaboration in the defense sector, knowledge sharing, and investment in agriculture. Other sectors highlighted include ICT, manufacturing, and renewable energy, with Nigeria providing incentives and access to its vast consumer market.
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Tuggar said, “The ongoing Sustainable Agricultural Technology Development Project was praised with proposals to scale up and deepen joint research in sustainable farming.” He also reiterated Nigeria’s dedication to enhancing relations with Thailand and extended an invitation for reciprocal visits, stating that Nigeria considers Thailand a strategic ally in Asia and anticipates a mutually advantageous partnership.
Nigeria called for a swift finalization of outstanding bilateral agreements in trade, investment, agriculture, education, and cultural exchange to facilitate the establishment of a Joint or Bi-National Commission.