Nigeria and Zambia are set to deepen bilateral cooperation in key sectors following the presentation of Letters of Credence by Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Zambia, Ambassador Efe A. Clark-Omeru, to President Hakainde Hichilema.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed this in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Mr Oluwafemi Adeniyi, in Abuja.
The ceremony was held in Lusaka, where Clark-Omeru conveyed President Bola Tinubu’s warm greetings and best wishes to President Hichilema and the people of Zambia.
The development is expected to strengthen diplomatic relations and enhance cooperation between Nigeria and Zambia in areas of mutual interest.
The High Commissioner’s presentation of the Letters of Credence formally marks the commencement of his diplomatic assignment in Zambia.
The High Commissioner also congratulated President Hichilema on his re-election for a second term in Zambia’s August 2026 general elections.
According to the statement, Ambassador Clark-Omeru underscored the longstanding relations between Nigeria and Zambia, founded on shared interests, mutual respect, Pan-African solidarity and a shared history of support for the struggle against colonialism and apartheid in Southern Africa.
“The High Commissioner expressed Nigeria’s readiness to further strengthen bilateral relations through existing agreements and new partnerships in key areas, including agriculture, mining and solid minerals, trade and investment, education, tourism, the creative economy, science and technology, as well as the deployment of volunteers under the Technical Aid Corps Scheme,” Adeniyi said.
In his remarks, President Hichilema highlighted Zambia’s focus on economic diplomacy under the Grow Zambia Agenda and called on the diplomatic corps to support increased investment, trade, tourism and international economic partnerships.
He stressed the need to translate diplomatic relations into concrete projects and deliverables.
President Hichilema called for stronger business-to-business, people-to-people and government-to-government partnerships, with particular emphasis on technology and local value addition.
The Zambian President said that “peace, security and stability” were prerequisites for sustainable development.
He also called for affordable access to capital and highlighted Zambia’s tourism potential, informing that plans were underway to upgrade four provincial airports to international standards.
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President Hichilema further reaffirmed Zambia’s commitment to the African Continental Free Trade Area and stronger intra-African trade.
During a tête-à-tête with President Hichilema, Ambassador Clark-Omeru highlighted the contributions of Nigerian businesses and professionals to Zambia’s economy, including Dangote Cement, Access Bank Zambia, UBA Zambia, Sahara Group, Harvest Group, Atlas Group, Naija Chops and Tasty Bite.
She also conveyed Nigeria’s interest in exploring a Bilateral Air Services Agreement, BASA, to establish direct air connectivity between Nigeria and Zambia.
Adeniyi said President Hichilema acknowledged the significant contributions of Nigerian businesses to Zambia, noting that efforts had been made to create a more favourable business environment.
The statement said the engagement between President Hichilema and Ambassador Clark-Omeru “highlighted opportunities for stronger Nigeria-Zambia economic relations through enhanced private-sector and people-to-people exchanges.”
The ceremony was followed by a reception at the Nigerian High Commission in Lusaka, bringing together leaders of the Nigerian community and representatives of Nigerian businesses.
The reception provided Ambassador Clark-Omeru with an opportunity to reaffirm the mission’s commitment to promoting the welfare of Nigerians while working with the Nigerian community and businesses in Zambia.
According to the Foreign Affairs Ministry, the mission would continue to work with Nigerians and businesses in Zambia to advance Nigeria’s “economic interests, values and image”.
The Nigerian government said it looked forward to working closely with the government of Zambia to consolidate the longstanding bonds of friendship between the two countries and promote partnerships that advance their shared interests and mutual prosperity.
