Ethiopia-Nigeria Ministerial Meeting to Discuss Trade, Economy, Political Dev’t

ADDIS ABABA – Nigeria and Ethiopia have concluded arrangements to hold a Joint Ministerial Commission meeting in Addis Ababa next month, Nigerian officials said.

The meeting will discuss various areas of bilateral relationship and exchange perspectives on a range of international issues of mutual interest, said Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President of Nigeria.

The decision to hold the meeting was an outcome of a meeting between Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who made a state visit to Nigeria to Abuja last Wednesday.

“A major outcome of the visit is the desire of both countries to take concrete steps to expand bilateral relations in key areas including the economy, trade, science and technology, solid minerals, among others,” said Adesina in a statement after the leaders meeting.

Nigeria’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, Victor Adeleke spoke to the media, explaining the essence of the visit and the burgeoning state of relations between both countries.

Prime Minister Abiy “has always taken Nigeria as one of the pillars in Africa and a strong country in stabilizing democracy in Africa”, said Ambassador Adeleke.

‘‘In the spirit of African brotherhood and seeking African solutions to African problems, President Buhari and the Prime Minister consult from time to time and this visit is an icing on the cake,” he said.

The ambassador described the current relationship between Nigeria and Ethiopia as “very warm.”

‘We are working together and we will soon be convening the Joint Ministerial Commission to discuss various areas of the relationship that will be beneficial to both countries.

“‘Nigerian officials are heading to Addis Ababa in June to discuss various areas of relationship including political, economic, science and technology, mines and industry,” said the ambassador. ‘‘We have been engaging and we will continue to engage.”

In the private sector, Ambassador Adeleke said Dangote has a big cement factory in Ethiopia, which has an expanding economy in Africa. ‘‘So this is a very important and useful visit that will help officials from both countries to continue to network.,’’ he added.

Prime Minister made a two-day official visit to Nigeria and conferred with President Buhari prior to his trip to Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, for the humanitarian conference and the African Union Extraordinary Summit on Terrorism and Unconstitutional Changes of Government.