Nigeria, Somalia Strengthen Bilateral Ties, Deepen Security and Economic Cooperation

The Federal Government of Nigeria and the Federal Republic of Somalia have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, with a focus on security collaboration and economic partnership.
This was the outcome of a high-level meeting between the Permanent Secretary of Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dunoma Umar Ahmed, and Somalia’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Mohamed Osman Mohamed, held in Abuja.
During the engagement, Ambassador Ahmed reiterated Nigeria’s readiness to deepen diplomatic ties and support Somalia’s ongoing efforts at national stabilization, institutional strengthening, and sustainable development, while emphasizing respect for Somalia’s sovereignty.
In his remarks, the Somali envoy called for enhanced collaboration in intelligence sharing, security operations, and institutional capacity-building. He stressed the importance of structured mechanisms to tackle shared threats such as terrorism and transnational crime.
Ambassador Mohamed also highlighted opportunities for expanded cooperation in cultural exchange, technology transfer, and investment, while briefing the Nigerian side on Somalia’s current security situation. He expressed appreciation for Nigeria’s continued support, alongside the international community, in safeguarding Somalia’s territorial integrity.
Responding, Ambassador Ahmed reaffirmed Nigeria’s willingness to share its experience in combating insurgency through both military and non-military approaches. He identified key areas of cooperation, including maritime security, anti-piracy initiatives, and manpower development, as essential to strengthening regional stability.
Both countries also explored prospects for economic collaboration in agriculture, mining, digital technology, and fintech, noting their potential to drive growth and create employment, particularly for young people.
The discussions further underscored the importance of promoting safe, orderly, and regular migration within Africa as a strategy to address irregular migration challenges.
The meeting concluded with both parties expressing commitment to sustained diplomatic engagement and practical cooperation aimed at delivering tangible benefits for citizens of both nations.