The Nigerian Government and the government of Somalia have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and enhancing cooperation, particularly in the area of security.
This was the outcome of a meeting between the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dunoma Ahmed, and the Ambassador of Somalia to Nigeria, Mohamed Osman Mohamed, held at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.
During the engagement, Ambassador Ahmed welcomed the Somali envoy and reiterated Nigeria’s readiness to deepen diplomatic relations with Somalia.
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He said that “the meeting would further consolidate the existing cordial ties between both countries.”
Ambassador Ahmed reaffirmed Nigeria’s support for Somalia’s efforts towards stabilisation, institutional strengthening, and national development, with full respect for its sovereignty.
In his remarks, Ambassador Mohamed emphasised the importance of closer collaboration between the two nations, particularly in intelligence sharing, security cooperation, and institutional capacity-building.
He called for the establishment of structured mechanisms to address shared security challenges such as terrorism and transnational crime.
The Somali envoy also highlighted opportunities for increased cultural exchange, technology transfer, and investment, while briefing his Nigerian counterpart on the current security situation in Somalia.
He expressed appreciation for Nigeria’s continued support, alongside that of the international community, in safeguarding Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Responding, Ambassador Ahmed reaffirmed Nigeria’s willingness to share its experience in tackling terrorism and insurgency, noting the country’s use of both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies.
He identified key areas for collaboration, including maritime security, anti-piracy initiatives, and manpower development, stressing that such efforts would enhance regional stability and economic security.
Both sides also explored avenues for expanding economic cooperation in sectors such as agriculture, mining, digital technology, and fintech, recognizing their potential to drive growth and create employment, especially for young people.
The discussions further underscored the need to promote safe, orderly, and regular migration within Africa as a strategy for addressing irregular migration challenges.
Both countries expressed commitment to sustain engagement and stronger diplomatic ties, with a focus on delivering practical outcomes that would benefit their citizens.
Ambassador Ahmed assured the Somali envoy of the Ministry’s full support in the discharge of his duties, expressing confidence that the engagement would mark the beginning of a new phase of productive bilateral relations between Nigeria and Somalia.
