The Nigerian government has entered into 26 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with foreign countries and agencies over the past year.
These agreements span key sectors, including infrastructure, education, trade and investment, tourism, security, information technology, culture, energy, and sports.
The combined value of these MoUs exceeds N4.2 trillion, with the potential to be higher, as several agreements’ values were not disclosed, according to a document from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
One notable MoU includes an agreement with India in February 2024 to boost trade volume between the two nations.
Another major deal involves a $500 million renewable energy and gas agreement with Germany, signed in November 2023. Additionally, Nigeria and Russia signed an MoU on nuclear energy on September 27, 2023.
In terms of infrastructure, Nigeria secured an MoU with China on October 20, 2023, worth approximately $2 billion. Further collaboration with China led to another agreement, signed on December 9, 2023, to develop a $150 million Lithium-Ion battery manufacturing and processing factory in Nigeria.
The education sector also saw progress, with MoUs signed with Russia and Qatar on December 22, 2023, and March 3, 2024, respectively.
In the trade and investment sector, the government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, signed an MoU with India in February 2024 to enhance trade relations.
Another MoU was signed with Qatar on March 3, 2024, establishing a Joint Business Council between the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA) and the Qatar Chamber.
Also, an agreement with Lab Four was inked on March 19, 2024, to provide 50,000 full-time business process outsourcing jobs in Nigeria over the next three years.
In the realm of national security, Nigeria signed two agreements with the United Nations Office on Counter-Terrorism on August 30, 2023, aimed at enhancing collaboration in countering terrorism and violent extremism.
Furthermore, on January 30, 2024, Nigeria signed an MoU with the United States to provide training for commanders of the Police Special Intervention Squad in combating banditry and other crimes.
Cultural preservation efforts were also bolstered through an MoU with the United States, signed on February 16, 2024, focusing on the preservation of a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site in Adamawa State.
In the technology sector, Nigeria secured a $600 million I-DICE Financial Agreement with France on November 3, 2023, aimed at supporting digital and creative enterprises.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, Yusuf Tuggar, the minister of Foreign Affairs, held high-level discussions with the Foreign Ministers of Sweden, Finland, Iceland, and representatives from Norway and Denmark.
The talks in Abuja focused on strengthening the longstanding relationship between Nigeria and the Nordic countries, a relationship dating back to Nigeria’s independence.
The Nordic delegation, including Swedish Foreign Affairs Minister Tobias Billström, Finnish Foreign Affairs Minister Elina Valtonen, Icelandic Foreign Affairs Minister Thórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörd Gylfadóttir, Norwegian State Secretary for International Development Bjørg Sandkjær, and Danish Under Secretary for Foreign Policy Eva Marie Frida Barløse, emphasised the importance of their partnership with Nigeria.
After the meeting, Tuggar highlighted the historical significance of the relationship, noting Finland’s early recognition of Nigeria as a republic.
He also discussed the ongoing collaboration in areas such as trade, renewable energy, and the fight against terrorism, particularly in de-radicalisation and resettlement efforts in the Lake Chad region.
Tuggar also addressed Nigeria’s recent efforts to shift towards renewable energy, citing President Bola Tinubu’s launch of Compressed Natural Gas buses as part of a broader initiative to reduce reliance on imported petroleum products.
The minister praised the Nordic countries for their advancements in the cyclical economy and renewable technology, expressing optimism for potential collaborations in research and development, particularly in solar energy and CNG initiatives.
He further highlighted Nigeria’s Technical Aid Corps, which has been deploying Nigerian professionals to Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific since 1987, describing it as one of Nigeria’s significant contributions to global development.
Tuggar also confirmed that Nigeria had raised concerns about a controversial Biafra agitator, Simon Ekpa, with Finland, addressing the issue “vociferously.”
“That is a no-brainer. You know there’s no way Nigeria is going to engage with Finland without raising the issue of Simon Ekpa, and raising it vociferously. So, take that as having been done,” the minister noted.
Swedish Foreign Affairs Minister Billström, speaking on behalf of the Nordic delegation, underscored the deep-rooted relationship between Nigeria and the Nordic countries, noting that Nigeria is one of the Nordic countries’ largest trading partners in Africa.
He praised Nigeria’s role in promoting peace and stability in West Africa and supporting international cooperation efforts.
Billström also highlighted the importance of addressing Africa’s under-representation in the UN Security Council, reaffirming the Nordic countries’ support for expanding the Council to include more permanent and elected members, reflecting Africa’s growing importance in international politics.
“Nigeria is a prominent actor on the regional and global stage and plays an important role in maintaining peace and furthering international cooperation.
“We highly appreciate the Nigerian Presidency’s efforts to promote stability and democracy within ECOWAS, and supporting ongoing efforts to further enhance cooperation between the United Nations and regional organisations,” the minister noted.
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