Nigeria and Thailand have officially agreed to upgrade their bilateral relations to a strategic partnership, marking a significant step toward deeper Africa-Asia cooperation.
The commitment was sealed today during talks in Bangkok between Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, and Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sihasak Phuangketkeow.
Minister Tuggar proposed that Thailand play a pivotal role in connecting West Africa and Southeast Asia by fostering institutional linkages between the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), with the long-term vision of an ASEAN-ECOWAS Summit.
The two sides reviewed traditional trade pillars, Nigeria’s crude oil exports to Thailand and Thailand’s rice and machinery exports to Nigeria and pledged to broaden cooperation into high-growth sectors including agro-processing, renewable energy, manufacturing, and information and communications technology (ICT).
Educational exchanges will also be expanded through increased scholarship opportunities for Nigerian students in Thailand.
On security, Minister Tuggar called for strengthened joint efforts against transnational organised crime, particularly drug and human trafficking, through enhanced intelligence sharing and joint training programmes for law enforcement agencies.
To give the upgraded relationship concrete momentum, both ministers directed their teams to fast-track the conclusion of pending bilateral agreements on trade, investment protection, and cultural cooperation.
They also agreed to establish a high-level Nigeria-Thailand Joint Commission to oversee implementation.
Wrapping up the meeting, Nigeria reaffirmed Thailand as a key strategic partner in Asia, while Minister Tuggar extended an open invitation for reciprocal high-level visits, including at the leadership level, to sustain the new momentum.
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