Nigeria has called for deeper cooperation between Africa and the Republic of Korea in tackling climate change, security threats, and global health challenges.
Speaking at the Korea-Africa Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Seoul, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, said today’s challenges require collective action, noting that “no single nation, however powerful, can address them alone.”
The minister proposed a Korea-Africa Green Energy Alliance to combine Korea’s technological expertise with Africa’s vast renewable energy resources.
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She stressed that Nigeria’s energy transition agenda presents opportunities for investment, saying, “This is not a plea for aid. This is an invitation to co-create the industries of the future.”
On security, Odumegwu-Ojukwu called for stronger collaboration in intelligence sharing, maritime security, and support for African-led peace operations, emphasising that instability in Africa has global consequences.
She also advocated a Korea-Africa Health Security Compact to boost vaccine manufacturing and pandemic preparedness, noting that Africa still imports most of its vaccines and medicines.
The minister further called for reforms to global institutions to give Africa a stronger voice in international decision-making, while emphasising that Nigeria seeks partnership rather than charity.
“Korea’s transformation from a war-torn nation to one of the world’s leading economies is an inspiration to Africa,” she said, adding that “with vision, discipline, and the right partnerships, transformation is possible.”
She urged both sides to strengthen cooperation, declaring: “Let this meeting be remembered as the moment where Korea and Africa chose to confront global challenges not in isolation, but in solidarity.”Â
