Nigeria Strengthens Ties With 5 Nordic Countries

Nigeria has taken steps to deepen multilateral ties with five Nordic countries in diverse sectors for mutual interests.

Indications to this development emerged when the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, hosted his counterparts from Finland, Norway, Sweden, Iceland and Denmark in Abuja on Tuesday.

Some of the areas of focus include; trade and investment, renewable energy, war against terrorism and violent extremism, education, science technology and innovation among others.

The Nordic ministers include; Mr Tobias Billström, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden; Ms Elina Valtonen, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland; Ms Thórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörd Gylfadóttir, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iceland; Ms Bjørg Sandkjær, State Secretary for International Development, Norway and  Ms Eva Marie Frida Barløse, Under Secretary for Foreign Policy, Denmark.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting, Ambassador Tuggar said, “We have a very long relationship with the Nordic countries going back to our independence. As a matter of fact Finland is one of the countries that first recognised Nigeria as a republic; they have been very supportive in terms of getting people to go back to life in the Lake Chad region. They are very strong trade partners to us but we want to improve that trade and a lot of the initiative of the current administration is already geared towards achieving this.”

Speaking during a press conference, Mr Tobias Billström, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden, said “The Nordic countries and Nigeria have long-standing tradition with strong partnership that dates back more than 50 years. Nigeria is not only one of our largest trading partners in Africa, it is also a stable ally in upholding international law and addressing issues of  climate change and countering the spread of violent extremism in West Africa.”

The Swedish minister also stated the possibility of opening the Nordic markets to the Nigerian agro- products especially now that the African Continental Free trade agreement (AfCFTA), adding that the Nordic countries also expressed their intention to improve relations in the areas of green and digital transition.