Nigeria and Japan have agreed to deepen their strategic partnership, focusing on critical minerals, clean energy, and trade expansion following high-level bilateral talks in Abuja.
At the 10th Nigeria-Japan Special Partnership Forum (NJSPF) on Thursday, Nigerian officials proposed establishing a dedicated “Nigeria-Japan Industrial and Investment Hub.” The framework is intended to boost Japanese manufacturing investment and give Tokyo easier access to the wider African market.In return, Japan expressed strong interest in securing resilient energy supplies and diversifying its critical mineral supply chains—sectors where Nigeria holds vast undeveloped reserves.
The talks were co-chaired by Ambassador Dunoma Ahmed, Permanent Secretary of Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Misako Takahashi, Assistant Minister and Director-General of African Affairs at Japan’s Foreign Ministry.
A statement issued by Nigerian foreign ministry spokesperson Oluwafemi Adeniyi on Friday noted that both nations also agreed to resolve administrative delays affecting development projects funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), particularly in renewable energy, primary healthcare, and urban infrastructure.
Beyond trade, the discussions touched on regional stability in West Africa and the Sahel, counter-terrorism, and joint efforts to curb transnational drug trafficking.
Both countries reaffirmed their shared diplomatic push for structural reform of the United Nations, including mutual support for their respective bids for permanent seats on the UN Security Council.
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