Nigeria and Austria have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, multilateral cooperation, and sustainable development.
This was disclosed during a meeting between Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and Austria’s Secretary-General of the Federal Ministry of International and European Affairs, Ambassador Nikolaus Marschik.
Discussions focused on deepening cooperation amid evolving global geopolitical, economic, and security challenges.
Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu highlighted over five decades of cordial Nigeria–Austria relations and called for expanded economic cooperation, particularly in renewable energy, green technologies, agriculture, infrastructure, and digital innovation.
She encouraged Austrian investors to explore opportunities in Nigeria, including through Special Economic Zones and the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Both sides also underscored the importance of cultural, educational, and academic exchanges, as well as collaboration on security, counter-terrorism, and migration management.
Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu emphasised collective international action to address terrorism and advocated orderly, skills-focused migration pathways that support development.
In his remarks, Ambassador Marschik reaffirmed Austria’s recognition of Nigeria as a key partner in Africa and outlined Austria’s evolving Africa strategy, centred on equality, multilateralism, and results-oriented cooperation.
He also expressed appreciation for Nigeria’s support for Austria’s multilateral aspirations, including at the United Nations.
The engagement concluded with both countries reaffirming their shared commitment to multilateral diplomacy, people-to-people exchanges, and a rules-based international order, signalling a renewed resolve to advance a forward-looking and mutually beneficial Nigeria–Austria partnership.