Nigeria and Italy Work to Strengthen Their Economic, Security, and Migration Relationships
Nigeria and Italy reiterate their commitment to using more diplomatic engagement to address issues of migration and insecurity and to advance economic cooperation.
Nigeria and Italy have reaffirmed their commitment to fortifying their bilateral ties, focusing on counterterrorism, irregular migration, insecurity, and growing economic collaboration.
During a courtesy visit by Mr. Roberto Mengoni, the Italian ambassador to Nigeria, on Monday in Abuja, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, made this statement.
Despite more than 60 years of diplomatic ties, Nigeria and Italy have not yet established an official Nigeria-Italy Bi-National Commission, according to Odumegwu-Ojukwu, who called Italy one of Nigeria’s most important strategic allies in Europe. To strengthen organized participation and collaboration, she advocated for the development of such a framework.
She claims that ongoing high-level diplomatic contacts between Italy and Nigeria have highlighted common goals in economic expansion, food security, sustainable development, and climate action. “Continuous consultations demonstrate a shared commitment to tackling regional and global issues, such as migration, climate change, and security threats,” she added.
The minister called for increased Italian participation in Nigeria’s economic reform program and called for deeper cooperation in the fight against transnational crimes, human trafficking, and irregular migration. She named infrastructure development, industrialization, agribusiness, and renewable energy as the main areas in need of increased collaboration.
In order to facilitate travel, increase trade, and fortify interpersonal relationships, she also urged Italy to provide technical assistance for Nigeria’s industrial development.
Along with lowering transit costs and increasing supply chain efficiency, Odumegwu-Ojukwu also asked for better trade facilitation procedures to give Nigerian manufactured and agricultural goods more access to the Italian market.
The speaker described migration as a challenge and an opportunity, adding that Italy and Nigeria are collaborating to increase legal paths and reduce illegal migration. She mentioned collaboration on voluntary return programs, reintegration efforts, repatriation agreements, and measures to break up human trafficking networks.
“With Nigeria’s large youth population, we are deeply concerned about the safety of our young people,” she stated, adding that youth-focused programs aimed at counter-radicalization, skill development, and unemployment continue to be priorities.
Nigeria is essential to Italy’s Africa cooperation plan, Ambassador Mengoni said earlier, reinforcing Italy’s ambition in strengthening ties with the country. For mutual gain, he stated that enhancing business and diplomatic relations will be the top priority of his trip.
“We are moving forward with deeper engagement with Nigeria. Mengoni stated, “Italy believes in collaboration rather than imposing its will.
