Nigeria and Somalia have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation in security, economic development and migration management.
This followed a meeting between the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dunoma Ahmed, and the Somali Ambassador to Nigeria, Mohamed Osman Mohamed, at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by the ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, while welcoming the envoy, Ahmed said Nigeria remained ready to strengthen diplomatic engagement with Somalia, noting that the interaction would further consolidate the cordial ties between both countries.
He said, “Nigeria is committed to supporting Somalia’s ongoing efforts towards stabilisation, institutional strengthening and national development, with full respect for its sovereignty.”
In his remarks, the Somali ambassador stressed the need for closer collaboration, particularly in intelligence sharing, security cooperation and institutional capacity-building.
Mohamed said, “There is a need for structured mechanisms to address shared security challenges such as terrorism and transnational crime, while also promoting cultural exchange, technology transfer and investment.”
He also briefed the Nigerian side on the current security situation in Somalia and expressed appreciation for Nigeria’s continued support and that of the international community in safeguarding Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Responding, Ahmed reiterated Nigeria’s willingness to share its experience in tackling terrorism and insurgency through both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches.
He said, “Nigeria is ready to collaborate in key areas such as maritime security, anti-piracy initiatives and manpower development, as these efforts are critical to regional stability and economic security.”
Both sides also explored opportunities for economic cooperation in agriculture, mining, digital technology and fintech, highlighting their potential to drive growth and create jobs, particularly for young people.
They further underscored the importance of promoting safe, orderly and regular migration across Africa as a strategy to address irregular migration challenges.
Both countries expressed commitment to sustained engagement and practical outcomes that would benefit their citizens.
Ahmed assured the Somali envoy of the ministry’s full support, expressing confidence that the engagement would usher in a new phase of productive bilateral relations.