Saudi Arabia says it is committed to strengthening ties with Nigeria ahead of the Saudi-Africa summit held later in November 2023.
The Country’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Adel Al-Jubeir said that his country looks forward to hosting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the summit.
The Saudi Special Envoy to Nigeria told State House Correspondents after meeting with the Nigerian Leader that discussions on bilateral relations were held and that Nigeria and Saudi Arabia are cooperating closely to deal with several challenges such as climate change, issues around sustainable development goals, and combating extremism and terrorism.
Al-Jubeir said; “We discussed bilateral relations, the two countries have enjoyed historic and very positive ties. Nigeria and Saudi Arabia cooperate in virtually all areas.
“We have very strong people-to-people ties, we are members of OPEC and we are also members of the organisation of Islamic countries.”
“We have very strong tribal and familiar ties. We believe that we are very cooperating very closely to deal with the challenges facing our world whether it is climate change, whether it’s sustainable development whether it is combating extremism and terrorism.
“Whether it is promoting free trade and Investment, we believe that Nigeria and Saudi Arabia to promote the tremendous history to greater heights,” Al Jubeir said.
The Saudi Arabia Minister said that he paid homage to President Tinubu to convey the greetings of the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia and the Prime Minister of the Kingdom, Mohammed bin Salman.
“This is the message and we look forward to hosting the Africa /Saudi Arabia summit in the kingdom soon, we also look forward to a visit by His Excellency to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia where he will be among brothers, friends, and, families,” he said.
Al-Jubeir affirmed that Saudi Arabia and Nigeria have always supported each other and that the two countries would continue to do so.
“When we have to truly appreciate Nigeria’s support for Saudi Arabia in the hosting of EXPO 2030 and the World Cup 2034,” he said.
Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, said “Nigeria seeks to strengthen ties with Saudi Arabia in the area of Hydro-Carbon production and areas of energy transition.”
“We are looking at the future we are both hydrocarbon producers, and we are looking at energy transition, We discussed matters of bilateral relations between Saudi Arabia and Nigeria, the two countries have had good relationships way back decades.
“The several areas discussed were responsible hydrocarbon productions, we are looking at the future we are both hydrocarbon producers, and we are looking at energy transition,” he said.
Tuggar also said that Nigeria looks forward to the promotion of culture and strengthening of cultural relations with the Kingdom.
He said; “The Minister of Saudi Arabia also pointed out that there is a need to do more in terms of cultural relations, we have a lot in common. We are looking forward to Saudi Arabia hosting the World Cup, a lot is happening there including so many technologies that we can learn from and we can also share. The World Expo is also coming in 2030 we look forward to that as well. And several areas of mutual interest and potential for collaboration.”
Mercy Chukwudiebere
