Nigeria and Japan have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening their longstanding bilateral relations and advancing a more strategic, result-oriented and mutually beneficial partnership.
The commitment was made at the conclusion of the 10th Nigeria-Japan Special Partnership Forum (NJSPF), held in Abuja.
The forum, established in 2001 as a platform for regular bilateral consultations, was co-chaired by the Permanent Secretary of Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dunoma Ahmed, and Japan’s Assistant Minister and Director-General of the African Affairs Department, Ms Misako Takahashi.
Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Oluwafemi Adeniyi, said Nigeria stressed the need to translate the longstanding goodwill between both countries into tangible economic and developmental outcomes.
READ ALSO: Nigeria, Japan Partner to Expand Affordable Housing
He revealed that discussions focused on investment, industrialisation, technology transfer, innovation, job creation and youth empowerment.
Nigeria proposed the establishment of a Nigeria-Japan Industrial and Investment Hub to strengthen industrial partnerships and enhance access to the Nigerian market and the wider African market.
Both countries identified opportunities for expanded cooperation in renewable energy, critical minerals, infrastructure, agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare, digital technology, artificial intelligence and skills development.
Nigeria welcomed Japanese expertise and investment in the critical minerals value chain, while Japan expressed interest in resilient energy systems, strengthening mineral supply chains and expanding the presence of Japanese companies in Nigeria.
The forum also reviewed development cooperation through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), particularly in renewable energy, primary healthcare, infrastructure, urban development and waste management.
Both sides acknowledged the need to address administrative and implementation challenges affecting JICA-supported projects to ensure that approved programmes were delivered efficiently and achieved their intended development impact.
The two countries further agreed on the importance of investing in their young populations through technical and vocational education, scholarships, research, innovation, information and communications technology, artificial intelligence, sports, culture and the creative industries.
They also welcomed increased people-to-people exchanges and collaboration in the creative economy, including film, music, animation and digital content, recognising the sectors’ potential to promote cultural understanding and create employment opportunities for young people.
On international and regional issues, Nigeria and Japan exchanged views on violent extremism, developments in West Africa and the Sahel, and the role of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in promoting regional peace and stability.
Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to multilateralism and continued cooperation on United Nations reforms and international candidatures, including their respective bids for seats on the United Nations Security Council.
Visa Facilitation
The forum also considered consular and migration matters, including visa facilitation and the need to promote business, official, educational and people-to-people exchanges while maintaining appropriate immigration procedures.
Nigeria and Japan also highlighted the importance of closer cooperation in combating illicit drug trafficking and other forms of transnational crime.
The two sides agreed that the 10th Nigeria-Japan Special Partnership Forum should usher in a renewed phase of bilateral relations, characterised by greater economic engagement, stronger institutional cooperation and the translation of agreed priorities into concrete actions, clear responsibilities and measurable results.
Nigeria expressed appreciation to the Government and people of Japan for their longstanding partnership and contributions to the country’s socio-economic development, reaffirming its readiness to work closely with Japan to advance shared interests and promote peace, stability, prosperity and sustainable development at regional and global levels.
