Egypt, Nigeria Strengthen Ties in Third Ministerial-Level Political Consultations

Egypt and Nigeria have reaffirmed their commitment to fostering closer bilateral ties during the third round of political consultations, held at the ministerial level for the first time. 

The discussions, hosted in Cairo, brought together Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Migration, Dr. Badr Abdel Aty, and Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar. 

The meeting also included the participation of Dr. Hani Sewilam, Egypt’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, and Alaa Farouk, Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation.

Ambassador Tamim Khalaf, spokesperson for the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, described the consultations as a milestone in Egypt-Nigeria relations. Minister Abdel Aty lauded the strong and multifaceted partnership between the two nations, highlighting cooperation in political, security, economic, and cultural spheres. 

He underscored Egypt’s commitment to expanding trade and investment ties, reflecting the two countries’ leadership roles as major African economies.

“Egypt and Nigeria share a responsibility to advance regional cooperation and continental integration, serving as a model for effective partnerships in Africa,” Abdel Aty said.

The minister emphasized that the consultations provided a platform to explore new opportunities for collaboration, aiming to elevate bilateral relations. 

He also highlighted shared challenges, particularly the growing threat of transnational terrorism, and stressed the importance of joint efforts to enhance regional security.

Abdel Aty further noted the critical roles Egypt and Nigeria play in shaping the African Union’s (AU) agenda. 

He called for continued dialogue to improve the Union’s governance, budgetary policies, and electoral processes, while also supporting the deployment of the AU’s new mission in Somalia.

The talks addressed pressing regional and international issues, including the Horn of Africa’s stability, Red Sea maritime security, and the situations in Somalia and Sudan. Minister Abdel Aty also outlined Egypt’s mediation efforts in Gaza, which have led to a ceasefire agreement and the exchange of hostages and detainees. 

He stressed the importance of ensuring the agreement’s full implementation in the coming stages.

The consultations concluded with the signing of a joint declaration celebrating the third round of talks and an agreement for mutual visa exemptions for diplomatic passport holders, marking a significant step toward closer ties between the two nations.

This historic meeting underscores the shared vision of Egypt and Nigeria to promote peace, stability, and sustainable development across Africa, setting a precedent for regional and continental cooperation.