Nigeria and the Netherlands have pledged to deepen their 65-year-old diplomatic relationship, focusing on regional security in the Sahel and a transition to green energy.
The commitment was made on Tuesday in Abuja during a meeting between Nigeria’s Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dunoma Ahmed, and a Dutch delegation led by the Kingdom’s Sahel Envoy, Robert Zimmerman.
The talks come at a time of heightened security concerns across the Sahel region, with both nations agreeing that addressing the “root causes of insecurity” is essential for long-term stability.
A broad strategic agenda
The dialogue covered a wide spectrum of cooperation, reflecting the Netherlands’ role as one of Nigeria’s major European trading partners. Key areas of focus included:
- Agriculture and Water Management: Leveraging Dutch expertise in flood control and sustainable farming.
- Energy Transition: Collaborating on Nigeria’s shift toward cleaner energy sources.
- Migration Governance: Working toward a “rules-based” international order and legal mobility.
- Maritime Security: Tackling piracy and ensuring safe trade routes in the Gulf of Guinea.
Focus on the Sahel
As the Netherlands’ Sahel Envoy, Mr Zimmerman’s visit highlights the strategic importance of Nigeria’s leadership in West Africa. Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to counter-terrorism efforts and the promotion of sustainable development to prevent the spread of violent extremism across the sub-region.
Economic and Cultural Ties
Beyond security, the engagement underscored the importance of the private sector and “people-to-people” exchanges. Ambassador Ahmed highlighted that the partnership, which dates back to Nigeria’s independence in 1960, must continue to evolve through knowledge exchange and youth empowerment.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the meeting as a success, rooted in “mutual respect and equality,” with both sides promising to expand cooperation in support of Nigeria’s economic diversification goals.
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