Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to elevating bilateral ties with Thailand to a strategic partnership encompassing political, economic, and cultural collaboration.
Tuggar made the disclosure on Wednesday in a statement issued through his Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy, Alkasim Abdulkadir, following meetings with his Thai counterpart, Sihasak Phuangketkeow, on the sidelines of the relaunch of the Thailand–Africa Initiative in Bangkok.
During the discussions, Tuggar congratulated Sihasak on his appointment and extended condolences over recent national losses, including the passing of the Thai Queen Mother and victims of natural disasters. He commended the cordial relations between the two countries and highlighted Nigeria’s interest in strengthening collaboration across political, economic, and cultural sectors.
“Nigeria welcomes Thailand’s outreach to Africa under the Thailand–Africa Initiative and proposes joint projects aligned with Nigeria’s priorities,” Tuggar said. He also encouraged Thailand to foster ASEAN–ECOWAS cooperation, proposing the long-term vision of an ASEAN–ECOWAS Summit.
The minister highlighted potential areas of collaboration, including agro-processing, energy ventures, defence industry cooperation, knowledge transfer, ICT, manufacturing, and renewable energy. He noted Nigeria’s crude oil exports and Thailand’s rice and machinery exports as opportunities for mutually beneficial partnerships, offering incentives and access to Nigeria’s large consumer market.
Tuggar praised Thailand’s scholarships and training programs for Nigerian students and professionals, calling for their expansion. He also lauded the ongoing Sustainable Agricultural Technology Development Project and proposed scaling up joint research in sustainable farming.
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Bilateral discussions also covered transnational crime, including drugs and human trafficking, with proposals for intelligence-sharing and joint training. Regional security issues, including the Sahel, Myanmar, and the Thailand–Cambodia border, were discussed, alongside pending agreements in trade, investment, agriculture, education, and cultural exchange, with plans to establish a Joint or Bi-National Commission.
The minister emphasised consular cooperation, including protection of Nigerian nationals, streamlined visa processes, and reciprocal facilitation for Thai citizens. He also proposed closer collaboration between Thailand’s International Cooperation Agency (TICA) and Nigerian agencies on pilot projects in rural development and SME empowerment.
Tuggar reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening ties with Thailand, extending an invitation for reciprocal visits, and describing Thailand as a strategic partner in Asia.
Separately, it was reported that Nigeria and Saudi Arabia have entered into a new five-year defence partnership aimed at expanding military cooperation between the two countries.