The volume of bilateral trade between Nigeria and The Philippines has surged by an unprecedented 700 per cent over the past three years.
The Philippines’ Ambassador to Nigeria, Mersole J. Mellejor, revealed this during the 128th Independence Anniversary celebration of the Republic of The Philippines, hosted by the country’s Embassy in Abuja.
According to the envoy, trade between both nations grew significantly from a modest $47 million in 2023 to $300 million in 2025.
He noted that Nigeria and The Philippines have continued to enjoy cordial relations and are actively exploring additional areas of cooperation for mutual benefit.
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Mellejor said both countries are working to strengthen their longstanding diplomatic relationship by expanding collaboration in education, trade, and investment.
“The level of bilateral trade is modest by today’s standards, but it has shown remarkable potential, having expanded consistently over the last three years.
“That is about a 700 per cent increase, and we remain focused on encouraging partnerships between Philippines and Nigerian companies,” he said.
Nigeria-Philippines Business Council
The Ambassador also disclosed plans to establish a Nigeria-Philippines Business Council aimed at boosting business engagement and unlocking new trade opportunities.
“This is to ensure that business between the two countries is conducted in a more organised manner and to enable players on both sides to leverage their strengths,” he said.
Highlighting growing educational cooperation, Mellejor stated that more than 9,000 Nigerians are currently pursuing higher education in The Philippines.
He said that people-to-people exchanges remain one of the strongest foundations of bilateral relations, with cultural ties between the two countries continuing to flourish.
“Afrobeats is popular in The Philippines, while Filipino soap operas have found a strong fan base in Nigeria,” he added.
Chief of Protocol at Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Babagana Wakili reaffirmed the country’s commitment to deepening cooperation with The Philippines.
Wakili commended the Filipino community in Nigeria for its contributions, particularly in the health, education, and technology sectors.
“The professionalism, dedication and service of Filipinos in Nigeria are appreciated by the government and people of Nigeria,” he said.
Expanding Collaboration
He expressed optimism about expanding collaboration in key areas including trade and investment, agriculture, energy, labour mobility, and capacity building.
“We look forward to enhancing our cooperation for sustainable development and to sustaining the dignity of our peoples.
“This anniversary celebration is not only a tribute to the Philippines’ proud history, but also an affirmation of the enduring bond between our two countries,” Wakili added.
The event attracted members of the diplomatic corps, government officials, the Filipino community, and private sector stakeholders, among others.
NAN
