Nigeria, Iran Signal Renewed Drive for Trade, Energy and Strategic Cooperation
By Naija Enquirer Staff
Nigeria and the Islamic Republic of Iran have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral relations, with renewed focus on trade, investment, energy cooperation and multilateral engagement, following a high-level meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja.
The meeting brought together the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dunoma Umar Ahmed, and the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Nigeria, Gholamreza Madhavi Raja. It marked one of the first formal engagements after the Iranian envoy presented his Letters of Credence to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Speaking during the engagement, Ambassador Raja underscored Nigeria’s strategic importance in Iran’s foreign policy, describing the country as a gateway to West Africa and a critical partner for engagement with the African continent. He recalled over five decades of diplomatic relations between both countries and expressed concern over the recent absence of Nigeria’s ambassadors in Tehran, which he said had slowed bilateral engagement.
The Iranian envoy welcomed Nigeria’s plans to appoint an ambassador to Tehran and stressed the need for sustained diplomatic presence to advance cooperation, particularly in trade, oil and gas, agriculture, mining and downstream industries.
Economic diplomacy featured prominently in the discussions, with Ambassador Raja identifying economic cooperation as Iran’s top priority in relations with Nigeria. He disclosed plans to encourage Iranian companies to pursue joint ventures and direct investments rather than limit engagements to trade alone.
He highlighted the shared membership of both countries in international and regional platforms such as the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Gas Exporting Countries Forum and the D-8, describing them as natural avenues for advancing common interests.
Ambassador Raja also disclosed Iran’s readiness to convene the 7th Session of the Nigeria–Iran Joint Commission, expected to hold in 2026.
Reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties, Ambassador Dunoma Umar Ahmed conveyed Nigeria’s goodwill and strategic intentions. He congratulated the Government of Iran on the recent discovery of a significant gold deposit in the country’s southern region, describing it as a positive boost to Iran’s economy.
The Nigerian side also commended Iran’s advancements in science and technology and expressed readiness to deepen cooperation in key sectors including medicine, agriculture, education and governance. According to the Permanent Secretary, such cooperation would promote knowledge sharing, skills development and technology transfer for mutual benefit.
He assured that Nigeria would intensify efforts to ensure full implementation of existing bilateral agreements, including the Bilateral Air Services Agreement, as part of measures to further strengthen relations.
Ambassador Ahmed further reaffirmed Nigeria’s support for diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving Iran’s nuclear issues and commended Iran’s continued commitment to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NNPT). He stressed the importance of sustained engagement within international and multilateral organisations to advance global peace and cooperation.
Both sides also discussed multilateral and regional cooperation, including engagement within ECOWAS, the United Nations and the OIC. Nigeria reiterated its support for diplomatic solutions to global challenges and welcomed continued cooperation within international platforms.
The meeting concluded on a cordial note, with both parties describing the engagement as the beginning of more sustained interactions aimed at translating goodwill into concrete outcomes. Plans were also discussed for activities marking the 52nd anniversary of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Iran, scheduled for May 2026.
