By Mercy Peter
Nigeria and the Netherlands have expressed commitment to expanded cooperation across critical sectors.
This was disclosed during a high-level engagement at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Ambassador Dunoma Umar Ahmed, on Tuesday received Mr. Robert Zimmerman, the Sahel Envoy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, alongside members of the Dutch delegation.
Ahmed said the meeting is for an extensive dialogue aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and addressing shared regional and global challenges.
The discussions highlighted the enduring Nigeria–Netherlands relationship, which dates back to 1960, and explored opportunities for deeper collaboration in priority areas such as Trade and Investment, Energy Transition, Agriculture, Water Management, Youth Empowerment, Migration Governance, Maritime Security in the Gulf of Guinea, Counter-terrorism, and Multilateral Cooperation.
Ambassador Ahmed underscored Nigeria’s commitment to fostering mutually beneficial partnerships anchored on mutual respect, equality, and shared values, noting that enhanced cooperation with the Netherlands would contribute significantly to national development goals and regional stability.
He emphasized Nigeria’s interest in leveraging Dutch expertise, particularly in agriculture, water management, and renewable energy, to support sustainable growth and economic diversification.
Mr. Zimmerman, reaffirmed the Netherlands’ dedication to a strong and forward-looking partnership with Nigeria, describing the country as a strategic partner in Africa.
He stressed the importance of joint efforts to address the root causes of insecurity, promote inclusive and sustainable development, and strengthen maritime security and migration governance within the region.
Both sides also emphasized the importance of people-to-people relations, cultural diplomacy, knowledge exchange, and private-sector collaboration as critical drivers for deepening bilateral ties and achieving inclusive economic growth.
