Nigeria and Angola have revived their Bilateral Economic Joint Commission after 24 years, sealed key agreements on illicit drug control, cultural cooperation, and state-to-state partnerships aimed at boosting socio-economic development.
A statement by Dr. Magnus Eze, Special Assistant on Communication and New Media to the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, disclosed that the agreements were signed during the 5th Session of the Nigeria–Angola Joint Commission, held in Luanda from September 9 to 12, 2025.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, signed on behalf of Nigeria, while Angola’s Secretary of State for International Cooperation, Ambassador Domingos Lopes, signed for his country. The session also produced a landmark twinning pact between Bayelsa State and Angola’s Namibe Province, as well as an economic cooperation deal between Nasarawa State and Bengo Province.
Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu described the resuscitation of the commission as a milestone in deepening ties between the two countries. She emphasized that the agreements provide a framework for tackling narcotics trafficking, promoting cultural exchange, and advancing political, economic, and social collaboration.
She revealed that 28 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were deliberated upon by technical sub-committees, covering areas such as visa waivers, simplified customs procedures, trade facilitation, agriculture pilot projects, technical manpower transfer, investment promotion, and the establishment of a Nigeria–Angola Business Council.
The minister further noted that discussions also touched on avoidance of double taxation, oil and gas partnerships, LNG trading, marine tourism, and creative economy initiatives, including film and music co-productions.
She assured that Nigeria, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, would deploy the political will to implement the agreements, while urging Angola to sustain the momentum for the benefit of both nations.
