Nigeria, Estonia to Deepen Bilateral Ties, Expand Trade Relations

By Iyojo Ameh

Nigeria and Estonia have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening diplomatic and economic relations, focusing on trade, digital innovation, and multilateral cooperation.

This was disclosed during a high-level meeting in Abuja on Friday between Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and his Estonian counterpart, Minna-Liina Lind, who was on an official visit to the country.

Speaking during the meeting, Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister highlighted the shared values between both nations, emphasizing their commitment to global cooperation and international diplomacy. He noted that efforts were underway to establish embassies in both countries to enhance diplomatic engagement.

“As part of our growing relationship, we are looking forward to establishing embassies in each other’s countries. We believe this partnership is valuable and will continue to strengthen in the coming years,” he stated.

In her remarks, Estonia’s Foreign Affairs Minister underscored Estonia’s dedication to deepening ties with Nigeria despite differences in population size. She noted that both countries share common values and international perspectives, particularly in multilateral cooperation.

“Despite our size differences, Estonia and Nigeria have much in common in terms of our values and international stance. We believe in strengthening multilateral cooperation and advancing shared goals in global governance,” she said.

Discussions between the two officials also centered on trade and economic collaboration, with Estonia expressing keen interest in Nigeria’s growing startup ecosystem and digital advancements.

“We know that Nigeria has many vibrant startups, and we see opportunities for collaboration. Estonia, as a member of the European Union, is also keen on expanding trade partnerships,” Lind noted.

As part of efforts to bolster economic ties, plans were announced for an Estonian trade delegation to visit Nigeria, particularly to attend an investment-focused event in Lagos. The visit aims to explore business opportunities and foster stronger economic partnerships.

The discussions also touched on ongoing educational exchanges, with Estonia hosting Nigerian students, and the success of Estonia’s ride-hailing company, Bolt, in Nigeria’s transportation sector.

Both ministers expressed optimism that the renewed engagement would drive economic growth and enhance diplomatic cooperation between the two nations.