Strengthening Nigeria-Kuwaiti Bilateral Ties For Mutual Benefits

The State of Kuwait has taken another step to improve its bilateral relations with Nigeria in various areas of for mutual benefits.

Indications to this development emerged when Kuwait celebrated its 62nd National Day and 32nd Liberation Day in Abuja recently with top Nigerian government officials and members of the diplomatic community in attendance.

In his speech, the   Ambassador of the State of Kuwait to Nigeria, Abdelaziz Albisher said Nigeria and his country enjoy cordial relations in oil and gas, agriculture, trade and industry among others, stressing the need to increase capacity in these sectors.

Albisher also said “on this  occasion, I would like to refer to the democratic system that characterizes my country since its inception based on a constitution that provides for popular participation in decision-

making, with a clear and frank commitment on the part of the political leadership, which is a source of pride for Kuwaitis.

“In addition, the State of Kuwait adopts the principle of equanimity and moderation in its foreign policy, with clear features and frameworks in its diplomatic relations, with its aspiration for the whole world to participate in its Vision 2035 for the future Kuwait as a regional financial, commercial and cultural center.”

He said the State of Kuwait and Federal Republic of Nigeria enjoy historical relations that extend since the sixties of the last century, as the Al Sabah School, which was built in Kaduna State at that time, testified to the depth of these historical relations, from before the official relations began, which opened new horizons for joint cooperation in various areas between the two friendly countries.

Recall that in 2020 the Nigerian government approved bilateral air services agreement (BASA)with Kuwait as the Aviation Minister, Hadi Sirika explained that the agreement will serve as a gateway for seamless airline services between both countries which is in line with the provisions of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

The strategic location of Nigeria in Africa makes it a country to benefit from diplomatic engagements with Kuwait in terms of investment opportunities. 

 The Kuwaiti envoy had in a previous interaction with the media said “Nigeria’s huge endowment in natural resources and investment opportunities in the fields of oil and gas, various minerals, industry, transport, energy, agriculture, tourism, telecommunication and banking make it an attraction to policy makers and investors.  

“Its regional, continental and international roles are very much commendable. Our diplomatic ties with Nigeria are indeed distinguished and brotherly, deeply rooted and dating back to the 60s. Relations were on the popular level, they then metamorphosed into diplomatic relations between the two friendly countries in 1971. Nigeria opened its embassy in Kuwait officially in December 1980, which was reciprocated later on by Kuwait opening its embassy in Nigeria in May 2005. These ties include wide range of cooperation in various fields.”

To buttress the importance of the bilateral ties between both countries, the Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, who was a guest at the occasion, said his state was the first to benefit from the long relationship with Kuwait with the establishment of the Sheikh Al Sabah College in Kaduna that has produced  many prominent Nigerians.

Other Nigerian dignatories who graced the occasion included; The Minister of Women Affairs, Paulen Tallen, Bello Kazaure from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs among others.