Nigeria, Iran explore deeper bilateral cooperation

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, on Monday received Iran’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Gholamreza Mahdavi Raja, in Abuja to review bilateral relations and discuss areas of mutual cooperation.
At the meeting, the Iranian envoy conveyed greetings from Tehran and reaffirmed his country’s commitment to strengthening ties with Nigeria, describing the country as strategically important to Iran’s Africa policy, especially in West Africa.
He stressed the need to restore full diplomatic representation in both capitals and expressed optimism over the early posting of Nigeria’s ambassador to Tehran, noting that ambassadorial presence is vital to advancing mutual interests.
The envoy also called for the convening of the seventh session of the Nigeria–Iran Joint Commission, scheduled to hold in Abuja, and proposed the activation of a political consultation mechanism to promote regular high-level engagements.
Discussions covered cooperation in key sectors, including energy, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, science and technology, education, and infrastructure. The Iranian ambassador also highlighted prospects for collaboration in healthcare, particularly cancer treatment, as well as scholarship opportunities for Nigerian students.
In her response, Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu congratulated the Iranian envoy on his appointment and reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening the longstanding relations between both countries, which date back to 1973.
She acknowledged the importance of full diplomatic representation and expressed optimism about the early deployment of Nigeria’s ambassador to Tehran.
The minister also welcomed proposals for increased economic cooperation, stressing Nigeria’s interest in translating political goodwill into practical outcomes through mechanisms such as the Joint Commission.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to constructive engagement, South-South cooperation, and continued collaboration within multilateral platforms. The meeting ended on a cordial note, reflecting the mutual desire to deepen Nigeria–Iran relations.
The statement was signed by Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja.