Nigeria to deepen ties with Thailand

L-R: Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar and his Thailand counterpart, Sihasak Phuangketkeow. (NAN)

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Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar affirmed the Federal Government’s resolve to elevate Nigeria–Thailand ties to a strategic partnership comprising political, economic, and cultural collaboration.

Tuggar disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday through Alkasim Abdulkadir, the Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy, against the backdrop of bilateral meetings with Thailand’s counterpart, Sihasak Phuangketkeow.

Abdulkadir quoted Tuggar as saying that the meeting occurred on the margins of the relaunch of the Thailand–Africa Initiative. Bangkok.

Tuggar congratulated Sihasak on his appointment and offered condolences on recent national losses, including the passing of the Queen Mother and victims of natural disasters.

He expressed appreciation for cordial Nigeria–Thailand relations and acknowledged Nigerian’s desire to elevate the partnership to a strategic level across political, economic, and cultural spheres.

Both sides noted the past high-level visits and pledged to keep the memory alive through reciprocal exchanges.

“Nigeria welcomes Thailand’s outreach to Africa under the Thailand–Africa Initiative and proposes joint projects aligned with Nigeria’s priorities,” he said.

He further encouraged Thailand to foster ASEAN–ECOWAS collaboration with the long-term vision of an ASEAN–ECOWAS Summit.

The minister proposed diversification through agro-processing and energy ventures, highlighting Nigeria’s crude oil exports and Thailand’s rice and machinery exports, as well as opportunities for defence industry collaboration, knowledge transfer, and investment in agriculture.

Others include ICT, manufacturing, and renewable energy were underscored, with Nigeria offering incentives and access to its large consumer market.

He further commended Thailand’s scholarships and training support, requesting expansion for Nigerian students and professionals.

Tuggar said, “The ongoing Sustainable Agricultural Technology Development Project was praised with proposals to scale up and deepen joint research in sustainable farming.”

He reiterated Nigeria-Thailand relationship had been established upon their BRICS partnership, saying discussion over reciprocal support within its frameworks was ongoing.

This, according to him, Nigeria stressed cooperation against transnational crime, including drugs and human trafficking, and proposed intelligence-sharing and joint training.

“Regional issues were addressed with Nigeria sharing perspectives on the Sahel, Myanmar, and Thailand–Cambodia border stability.

“Nigeria urged expedited conclusion of pending bilateral agreements in trade, investment, agriculture, education, and cultural exchange with a view to establishing a Joint or Bi-National Commission.

“Consular cooperation was emphasised, including protection of Nigerian nationals, streamlined visa processes, and reciprocal facilitation for Thai citizens.

“Nigeria also proposed stronger collaboration between TICA and Nigerian agencies, including pilot projects in rural development and SME empowerment,” Tuggar said.

He further reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening ties with Thailand and extended an invitation for reciprocal visits, saying Nigeria regards Thailand as a strategic partner in Asia and looks forward to a mutually beneficial relationship.

PUNCH Online also recently reported that Nigeria and Saudi Arabia entered into a new five-year defence partnership aimed at expanding military cooperation between the two countries.

NAN

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