Nigeria and Japan have pledged to deepen bilateral relations and expand cooperation across key sectors following a high-level meeting between Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, and his Japanese counterpart on the sidelines of the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9).
Ambassador Tuggar commended Japan for its leadership and hospitality in hosting TICAD 9, highlighting the cordial ties between both countries and Japan’s sustained support for Africa’s development through TICAD and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
The talks focused on boosting economic cooperation, with Nigeria seeking increased Japanese investments in energy transition, agriculture, infrastructure, and the digital economy. Tuggar also briefed on Nigeria’s ongoing economic reforms aimed at creating a more investor-friendly environment.
Both sides explored opportunities for technical cooperation in vocational training, renewable energy, and climate-smart agriculture, while also discussing collaboration on regional security, counterterrorism, maritime safety in the Gulf of Guinea, and international peacekeeping efforts.
The Nigerian Foreign Affairs Minister further urged Japanese technology firms to take part in Nigeria’s Smart City and Digital Economy projects, stressed the importance of stronger collaboration in science, innovation, and healthcare system strengthening.
In line with the priorities of TICAD 9—inclusive growth, climate resilience, and peacebuilding Nigeria and Japan reaffirmed their commitment to multilateral cooperation, including joint efforts on UN reform and global peace initiatives.
Ambassador Tuggar concluded the meeting by extending an invitation to his Japanese counterpart to visit Nigeria for follow-up consultations and proposed the creation of a Nigeria–Japan Strategic Partnership Framework to guide future engagements.
