In a renewed push to deepen diplomatic and economic ties, Egypt and Nigeria have committed to scaling up bilateral trade, investment, and cooperation across critical sectors including energy, infrastructure, security, and education.
Egypt’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Mohamed Fouad, made this declaration during the commemoration of the 73rd National Day of the Arab Republic of Egypt, held over the weekend in Abuja. The high-level event brought together diplomats, Nigerian government officials, business leaders, and academics to reflect on the expanding relationship between the two African powerhouses.
Fouad said both nations are committed to forging “a modern and forward-looking partnership anchored on shared values and mutual development goals.” He emphasized that increasing trade and investment between Nigeria and Egypt remains a top priority and a key pillar of their bilateral relationship.
“We are proud of the numerous Egyptian companies that have been active in Nigeria for years, especially in sectors like construction, energy, and telecommunications. These companies continue to contribute to Nigeria’s economic development while creating thousands of jobs,” the ambassador stated.
Ambassador Fouad noted that the cooperation between Egypt and Nigeria has evolved beyond economics to include joint efforts in counterterrorism, agriculture, health, education, and digital transformation.
“Our countries are working with determination to strengthen this partnership. From security to health, from infrastructure to education, there is a shared resolve to transform our common challenges into opportunities for growth,” he said.
He acknowledged that despite global economic headwinds and geopolitical uncertainty, Egypt is embarking on a broad-based transformation under President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s “New Republic” agenda. This includes investments in sustainable energy, education reform, healthcare, and industrialization—priorities that mirror Nigeria’s own development ambitions under President Bola Tinubu.
The ambassador highlighted recent milestones in the two nations’ diplomatic trajectory, including the third round of bilateral political consultations in January 2025, held in Cairo. For the first time, the talks were elevated to the level of foreign ministers, with Egypt’s Dr. Badr Abd-Elatty and Nigeria’s Yussuf Tuggar jointly signing a statement to upgrade bilateral relations to a “comprehensive strategic partnership.”
“This step reflects our mutual recognition of the need to redefine and expand the scope of Egypt-Nigeria ties to meet the fast-changing demands of our times,” Fouad said.
Fouad also praised the growing people-to-people exchanges between Egypt and Nigeria, which he said have intensified through tourism, business, and education in recent years.
He specifically cited Egypt’s historic Al-Azhar Al-Shareef University in Cairo as a long-standing bridge between the two nations. The university, which has hosted Nigerian scholars for centuries, now has hundreds of Nigerian students currently enrolled. According to him, these scholars are the future leaders who will “further consolidate relations between our countries.”
“The Borno Pavilion at Al-Azhar, once home to students from Northern Nigeria, remains a symbol of our enduring intellectual and religious connection,” he added.
The ambassador reaffirmed Egypt’s commitment to regional cooperation and Africa’s collective prosperity. He called on both nations to leverage their demographic strength, natural resources, and entrepreneurial talent to drive inclusive development.
“Our respective citizens are the engine that will drive this partnership forward. We must continue to invest in them through education, technology, and policy reforms that enable innovation and trade,” Fouad concluded.
As Africa confronts multiple challenges—from economic restructuring to energy transition—Egypt and Nigeria’s emerging partnership signals a promising shift toward intra-African collaboration. With strategic investments, policy alignment, and people-centered diplomacy, both countries aim to chart a new course toward shared prosperity.