Nigeria, Egypt deepen ties at Korea‑Africa Foreign Ministers’ Meeting

International, Politics

SEOUL, South Korea (NPA) — Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu‑Ojukwu, held bilateral talks with her Egyptian counterpart, Dr Badr Abdelatty, on the sidelines of the 2026 Korea‑Africa Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. The high‑level engagement calls attention to the enduring strength of Nigeria‑Egypt relations, which span more than six decades and are anchored in shared Pan‑African ideals and cooperation within the African Union (AU) and other multilateral institutions.

Ambassador Odumegwu‑Ojukwu described the meeting as a timely opportunity to intensify collaboration in areas of trade, aviation connectivity, and regional stability. She noted that Nigeria and Egypt are building on the momentum of the July 2025 Egyptian‑Nigerian Business Forum in Abuja, which helped push bilateral trade to over $315 million.

The minister highlighted that approximately 7,000 Nigerians are enrolled in Egyptian higher institutions, while numerous Nigerian professionals, institutions, and state governments have signed MOUs with Egyptian partners in training, research, and trade.

Key discussion points included expanding economic ties and exploring greater investments in agriculture, pharmaceuticals, energy, construction, and information technology.

Both sides also emphasised the urgent need to convene the next round of ministerial‑level political consultations at the earliest opportunity to bolster cooperation.

The talks reaffirmed Nigeria and Egypt’s shared commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and advancing regional peace and prosperity.