Nigeria, Philippines Strengthen Bilateral Ties Through Education, Trade

The Philippines Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Mersole J. Mellejor has reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening bilateral relations between Nigeria and the Philippines.

Ambassador Mellejor emphasized the need for collaboration in education, cultural exchange programmes, climate action, trade, and investment, aligning with the United Nations Agenda 2030.

He shared this vision while hosting Ambassador Timothy Nwachukwu and representatives from the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) National Students Council (Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President of Nigeria on Students Engagement) at the Philippines Embassy in Abuja.

Stronger connections needed

Highlighting his country’s achievements in eight of the 17 SDG goals, Ambassador Mellejor stressed the importance of building stronger connections between Nigeria and the Philippines.

He noted the vast opportunities for cooperation across multiple sectors and called for deeper engagement to foster mutual growth and development.

Ambassador Mellejor highlighted the immense potential for collaboration in various sectors, expressing the Philippines’ keen interest in deepening diplomatic and economic ties with Nigeria, a key player in West Africa.

He also highlighted the Philippines’ competitiveness in industries such as manufacturing, IT, and business process outsourcing.

The Philippines Ambassador invited Nigerian businesses to explore investment opportunities in these sectors, emphasizing the country’s favorable business climate and skilled workforce. In turn, the SGDs Council offered to expand market access for Filipino products, such as agricultural commodities and manufactured goods.

Ambassador Nwachukwu and the SDGs Council delegates echoed sentiments, underscoring the need for strategic partnerships to drive sustainable development and progress.

“We recognize the immense potential for our nations to work together to achieve the ambitious goals set out in the UN’s Agenda 2030.

“By pooling our resources, expertise, and collective efforts, we can make meaningful progress on issues like quality education, inclusive economic growth, and climate action.” Ambassador Nwachukwu said

A key focus of the discussions centred on education and cultural exchange programmes.

The Ambassador Nwachukwu led the SDGs National Students Council proposed a slew of initiatives aimed at increasing student mobility, teacher training, research collaborations, and cultural immersion activities between Philippine and Nigerian institutions.

He also sort for scholarships, internships, joint academic programs, and sports tournaments to promote cross-cultural understanding and skills development.

Cultural exchange programmmes also featured prominently in the discussions.

Amb. Mellejor and the SDGs Council delegation agreed that fostering greater cultural understanding between the two nations would be mutually beneficial.

“The Philippines’ vibrant arts and culture, combined with Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage, offer vast opportunities for collaboration. From music and dance to art and literature, the potential for cultural exchange is immense. This could encompass artist-in-residence programs, cultural festivals, and the promotion of traditional crafts,” he said.

With climate change posing a global threat, Ambassador Mellejor and Ambassador Nwachukwu led SDGs Council delegation acknowledged the need for cooperation in addressing this challenge.

As signatories to the Paris Agreement, both the Philippines and Nigeria explored avenues for collaboration in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and disaster resilience, with the aim of aligning their efforts with the SDGs.

“We are facing the same climate challenges, so we must confront them together,” Ambassador Nwachukwu said.

“By sharing best practices and leveraging our combined capacities, we can transition to more sustainable, climate-resilient economies that benefit all, we are committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to the impacts of climate change,” he said.

Both parties also discussed trade and investment as part of the agenda.

The Philippines and Nigeria have a significant trade relationship, with both countries seeking to diversify their economic partnerships.

They both agreed to establish a working group to further explore the discussed areas and to identify concrete projects for implementation.

“Today we have charted an exciting path for our two nations. We will work tirelessly to ensure that the Philippines and Nigeria emerge as development leaders by 2030 – muscular economies, inclusive societies, and global partners for good. This is our shared vision, and our shared responsibility,” Ambassador Nwachukwu added.

 

 

Mercy Chukwudiebere