Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has participated in the 5th Singapore–Africa Ministerial Exchange Visit (SAMEV), held from August 26 to 28, 2025, in Singapore, with a renewed commitment to strengthening bilateral and multilateral cooperation.
The biennial platform, hosted by Singapore’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, was convened under the theme “Progressing Together towards a Sustainable Future.” Since its inception in 2014, SAMEV has served as a forum for fostering ties and sharing development experiences between Singapore and African nations.
This year’s edition brought together 14 Ministers and Deputy Ministers from Botswana, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. The delegation jointly paid a courtesy visit to Singapore’s Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Mr. Lawrence Wong, on August 27, where discussions centered on deepening Africa–Singapore cooperation.
Alongside SAMEV, the African ministers participated in the Opening Session of the 8th Africa–Singapore Business Forum (ASBF), which coincided with the ministerial meetings. The forum, headlined by Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama during his State Visit to Singapore, convened more than 700 business and government representatives from over 40 countries across Africa and Asia.
Nigeria featured prominently, with Gbenga Oyebode, Chairman of ALN, and Samaila Zubairu, President and CEO of the Africa Finance Corporation, serving as key speakers. Both emphasized Africa’s growing role in global economic integration and Nigeria’s potential as a hub for investment.
A major milestone for Nigeria was the entry into force of the Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (IPPA), also known as the Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT), between Nigeria and Singapore on August 22, 2025. The agreement establishes a legal framework to safeguard investments, boost investor confidence, and expand opportunities in infrastructure, technology, and sustainable development.
Ambassador Tuggar noted that the BIT aligns with Nigeria’s foreign policy under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which seeks to attract foreign direct investment and expand global partnerships.
His participation, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reaffirmed Nigeria’s determination to broaden its diplomatic and economic horizons, leverage global alliances for sustainable development, and consolidate its leadership role in Africa’s international engagements.
