Nigeria and Japan are set to deepen their bilateral cooperation, focusing on trade, infrastructural development, food security, and health as both nations seek to explore mutual opportunities for growth. Vice President Kashim Shettima, during a meeting with a Japanese delegation led by outgoing Ambassador Matsunaga Kazuyoshi and the President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Dr. Tanaka Akihiko, assured Japan of Nigeria’s commitment to enhancing cooperation across key sectors.
Speaking at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Shettima highlighted the efforts to resolve any outstanding issues in the bilateral relationship. “All the grey areas will be addressed. Rest assured that in a couple of days, we are going to resolve all the grey areas and put our relationship on a new pedestal,” he stated. The Vice President’s assurances were made in the presence of several high-ranking officials, including the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, and ministers from key beneficiary ministries.
Shettima praised Ambassador Kazuyoshi’s efforts in fostering a strong relationship between both countries and acknowledged JICA’s contributions towards Nigeria’s development. He expressed particular gratitude for JICA’s donation of ¥1.75 billion to strengthen the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC)’s diagnostic capacity.
“JICA’s continuous commitment to Nigeria is highly valued, and your contributions to critical sectors, including health and infrastructure, align seamlessly with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” Shettima said. He also recognized JICA’s role in Nigeria’s polio eradication efforts, which led to the country achieving a polio-free status in 2020.
Dr. Tanaka Akihiko expressed sympathy for Nigeria over the recent floods in Maiduguri, Borno State, drawing on Japan’s own experience with natural disasters. He thanked Nigeria for its ongoing support of JICA’s development projects, emphasizing the partnership between the two nations.
The meeting also discussed future collaborations, including a planned International Conference on African Development in Tokyo next year. Ambassador Kazuyoshi stressed that the Japanese government is committed to strengthening ties with Nigeria.
Dr. Kingsley Uzoma, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Agribusiness and Productivity Enhancement, highlighted JICA’s critical support in food security, specifically its food security emergency support loan. He also underscored the importance of the Lagos transmission substation project, which aims to provide 24-hour electricity to the Apapa Wharf, elevating the port to international standards.
The Vice President concluded the meeting by extending his best wishes to Ambassador Kazuyoshi on his future assignments, commending his dedication to fostering a robust Nigeria-Japan relationship. Key Nigerian officials at the meeting included Minister of Agriculture Senator Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Water Resources Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, and Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hadejia.
This renewed cooperation signals a promising future for Nigeria-Japan relations, particularly in advancing development projects critical to Nigeria’s growth.
