Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire move to deepen trade, security ties

Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire have agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in trade, security and regional development following a high-level diplomatic meeting in Abuja.

Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, met with the Ivorian Ambassador to Nigeria, Kalilou Toure, where both countries reaffirmed what they described as longstanding cordial relations between the two West African nations.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the discussions centred on expanding cooperation in trade, investment, industrial development, security, culture, migration and consular matters.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu described Côte d’Ivoire as one of Nigeria’s major trading partners in Africa and called for stronger collaboration in sectors including cosmetics, perfumes, coffee production, petroleum products and manufacturing.

The two countries also reviewed existing Memoranda of Understanding and expressed optimism over the implementation of pending agreements during a forthcoming bilateral session scheduled to hold in Côte d’Ivoire.

The meeting further underscored the importance of parliamentary diplomacy and institutional cooperation in strengthening democratic governance and regional stability across West Africa.

Security issues featured prominently during the talks, with both sides stressing the need for coordinated action against terrorism, violent extremism, human trafficking, drug trafficking and other transnational crimes.

They also emphasised intelligence sharing and joint regional responses to growing security challenges within the sub-region.

The discussions additionally explored possible frameworks for prisoner transfer arrangements involving sentenced nationals, in line with legal provisions and bilateral agreements.

Both countries pledged to sustain high-level diplomatic engagements and deepen institutional coordination to advance mutual interests and promote peace and stability in West Africa.