Foreign news
Pakistan Moves to Deepen Diplomatic, Economic Relations With Nigeria
The Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan has called for deeper diplomatic and economic ties with the Nigerian government to foster development for both countries.
Mr Rana Ihsaan, the Coordinator to the Prime Minister of Pakistan made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) during his working vist to Nigeria on Wednesday in Abuja.
NAN reports that the visiting Coordinator held a closed-door meeting with Yusuf Tuggar, the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
After the meeting, he said that both both sides had agreed on deepening relations in the areas of trade and commerce, among others.
Ihsaan said that both countries must see the need to accelerate efforts towards a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA).
He said that Pakistan had already submitted a draft BTA and was awaiting Nigeria’s response.
According to him, discussions centered on easing visa processes, expanding educational exchanges, and strengthening Cooperation in sectors such as Minerals, Youth training, and Defence were highlighted.
Ihsaan said that Pakistan had already implemented visa-on-arrival for Nigerians at no cost, and urged Nigeria to reciprocate to enhance people-to-people ties.
He stressed the importance of high-level engagements between both nations, describing Nigeria and Pakistan as very similar countries with large populations, youthful demographics, and vast economic potentials.
“Deeper collaboration will unlock opportunities in trade, education and investment, while further solidifying long-standing diplomatic relations,” he said.
He said that aside from visiting the foriegn Minister and other top government officials in Nigeria, he was also in the country to attend the on-going West Africa Beauty Exhibition holding in Lagos.
He described the exhibition as one of the continent’s largest cosmetic fairs, adding that he led a delegation of 19 Pakistani business people exploring Nigeria’s estimated 10 million dollar beauty and cosmetics market.
Ihsaan said that Nigeria was a gateway to Africa, adding that Pakistani products, like cosmetics, Textiles, Pharmaceuticals, Food items and Sports goods were already gaining traction in the country.
He encouraged Pakistani exhibitors to establish offices, Warehouses and logistics partnerships to strengthen their foothold in the Nigerian market.
Ihsaan further addressed concerns from Nigerian businesses on the ease of doing business in Pakistan.
He said that the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan had been supporting Nigerian participants at major exhibitions to achieve the ease of doing business.
“The Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) serves as a one-stop platform for Nigerians interested in investing in Pakistan,” he said
Culled from NAN
Foreign news
Algeria Celebrates 71 Years of Freedom in Abuja with Style, Showcasing Its Success Stories
Joel Ajayi
Algeria’s 71st National Day was celebrated in Abuja with colour, pride, and diplomatic elegance, as the Algerian Embassy hosted dignitaries, government officials, and members of the diplomatic community to mark the anniversary of the historic 1954 National Liberation Revolution.
Speaking at the event, the Algerian Ambassador to Nigeria, Hocine Mezoued, described the day as a moment of deep pride for Algerians worldwide.
He recalled that the November Revolution marked the beginning of a courageous struggle that led to independence in 1962 after 132 years of colonial occupation and the sacrifice of more than five million martyrs.
According to the Ambassador, the Revolution remains “an inexhaustible source of pride and patriotism for the entire Algerian people, guiding their path towards development and well-being.”
Ambassador Mezoued outlined Algeria’s accomplishments since independence, noting major investments in human, economic, social, and environmental development. He stated that Algeria is currently Africa’s third-largest economy, with a GDP of nearly US$300 billion, and projections to reach US$400 billion by 2027.
He further emphasized Algeria’s strong commitment to social welfare, which guarantees free access to education, healthcare, and decent housing for all its citizens.
The Ambassador praised the growing bilateral cooperation between Algeria and Nigeria, describing 2025 as a year marked by significant diplomatic and economic milestones. He highlighted deeper collaboration in diplomacy, parliamentary exchange, energy, and trade.
A major step in parliamentary cooperation was the visit of a high-level Nigerian delegation to Algeria last October, led by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, represented during the Abuja celebrations by Hon. Abubakar Babazango, Chairman of the Nigeria–Algeria Parliamentary Friendship Group.
In the economic sector, he noted fruitful engagements between SONATRACH and NNPC Limited, and the advancement of three key strategic projects. He also announced that Air Algérie commenced direct flights from Algiers to Abuja in April 2025, boosting economic and cultural ties.
Algeria continues to support human-capacity development in Nigeria through scholarships in higher education, vocational training, and religious studies, 270 scholarships during the academic year 2025-2026
The Ambassador also highlighted the success of the 4th Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) hosted in Algiers in September, which saw strong participation from Nigerian businesses exploring opportunities in Algeria’s agro-food, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and home appliance sectors. Several trade agreements were signed, opening new commercial prospects between both countries.
In his remarked, the Speaker, House of Representatives Federal Republic of Nigeria Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, who was represented at the occasion by Chairman, Nigeria Algeria Parliamentary Friendship Group Committee HON. ABUBAKAR BABAZANGO praised the resilience and sacrifice of the Algerian people, describing the Independence anniversary as a symbol of hope across Africa.
He reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening relations with Algeria, particularly through the Parliamentary Friendship Group, and emphasized cooperation in trade, energy, education, and cultural exchange.
He extended warm greetings to the President and people of Algeria, expressing hope that the friendship between both nations would continue to flourish in unity, progress, and shared prosperity.
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