From Aidoghie Paulinus, Abuja
Nigeria and the Arab Republic of Egypt have elevated the existing bilateral relations to comprehensive relations.
The development took place when the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, visited Cairo to participate in the third round of political consultations with his Egyptian counterpart, Badr Abdelatty.
Minister of Water Resources, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev and Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security were part of the delegation.
Media aide to Tuggar, Alkasim Abdulkadir said both foreign ministers agreed to elevate the relations to a comprehensive partnership, emphasizing mutual respect for each nation’s unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
“Both countries have also committed to intensify coordination on regional and international issues, aiming to strengthen the African Union’s role in addressing continental challenges and promoting integration. They also pledged to work together to advance democracy, good governance, and the objectives of Agenda 2063.
“While recognising the shared threat of terrorism and extremism, Egypt and Nigeria agreed to enhance security cooperation by sharing experiences in implementing comprehensive counter-terrorism strategies. They also expressed a commitment to supporting conflict resolution in Africa through peace building and sustainable development initiatives.”
The ministers acknowledged the potential for increased bilateral economic engagement and agreed to encourage both governmental and private sector participation in areas such as agriculture, energy, telecommunications, and infrastructure.
They also discussed plans to establish a Nigeria-Egypt Chamber of Commerce by the end of 2025, with a formal launch anticipated during the fourth round of ministerial-level consultations in Abuja in 2026.
“Additionally, the ministers commended recent agreements on visa exemptions for diplomatic passport holders and the adjustment of visa fees for citizens of both countries, reflecting a mutual commitment to facilitating easier movement and stronger people-to-people connections.
“The next session of the Joint Committee at the ministerial level is scheduled for the last quarter of 2025, underscoring the ongoing commitment to deepening bilateral relations,” Abdulkadir noted.