Poland in Nigeria

The Deputy Chief of Polish diplomacy praised Nigeria’s engagement in stabilisation processes and peace-making in Africa as well as other parts of the world. Minister Zajączkowski highlighted the need to maintain global governance based on multilateralism, respect for international law, democracy, and human rights. The meeting with Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Amb. Dunoma Umar Ahmed reaffirmed that Poland and Nigeria share a common view on the need of respecting the principles of the UN Charter, especially sovereignty, the inviolability of borders, and the peaceful settlement of disputes. Minister Zajączkowski stressed that close cooperation between Nigeria and Poland which dates back to 1962 is in mutual interest of both sides. He also expressed his hope for further bilateral cooperation dialogue.

In the course of the visit, Polish Deputy Foreign Minister W. Zajączkowski met with the Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment – Dr Jumoke Oduwole; Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy – Wale Edun; Minister of Defence – Mohammed Badaru Abubakar and Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy – Dr Bosun Tijani. During the meetings, Deputy Minister praised Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his government for introducing bold reforms under “Renewed Hope Agenda” as well as for fighting terrorism within the country and the West African region. The participants of the high level meetings raised the issue of cybersecurity and countering disinformation as well as discussed cooperation in areas such as IT, security, energy, transport and finance.

On the margin of the political meetings Deputy Minister met with the representatives of Nigerian academic and religious communities, international affairs analysts and members of the Polish diaspora, including employees of European institutions in Abuja and staff from the Polish Investment and Trade Agency’s Lagos office.

Deputy Minister Zajączkowski’s visit in Nigeria, shortly before the inauguration of the African Union –European Union Summit in Luanda, demonstrated the importance of relations of Poland with Sub-Saharan Africa, a region of growing geopolitical significance, and with Nigeria in particular. The visit strengthened business relations between Warsaw and Abuja building on the success of this year’s Polish–Nigerian Economic Forum in Lagos.