Nigeria and Algeria have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations in the areas of peace, security, infrastructure development, trade, and regional integration.
The commitment was made during a courtesy visit by Algeria’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Hocine Mezoued, to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, in Abuja.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, both countries reaffirmed their commitment to advancing strategic partnership and deepening diplomatic cooperation.
During the meeting, the Algerian envoy described Nigeria and Algeria as longstanding partners united by shared African values and common commitments to peace, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and continental development.
He noted that both countries had sustained strong diplomatic engagements and policy coordination at regional and multilateral levels, particularly within the African Union and the United Nations.
Mezoued highlighted ongoing cooperation in key sectors including infrastructure, transportation, education, parliamentary exchanges, military collaboration, and trade.
He disclosed that the Third Meeting of the Steering Committee on the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline Project would hold on June 3 and 4, 2026, with ministers from Nigeria, Algeria, and Niger expected to participate.
The ambassador also revealed that Air Algérie was studying the possibility of extending its operations to Lagos following the launch of the Algiers-Abuja route in April 2025.
According to him, the move is aimed at strengthening connectivity, trade, and people-to-people relations between both countries.
In the area of education, Mezoued said Algeria had expanded scholarship opportunities for Nigerian students in higher education, vocational, and technical training programmes, adding that more than 130 Nigerian students benefited from the initiative between 2025 and 2026.
He further highlighted cooperation in parliamentary and military sectors, including the establishment of the Nigeria-Algeria Parliamentary Friendship Group in March 2025 and the exchange of military study visits between institutions in both countries.
The envoy also informed the minister that an Algerian Navy delegation would participate in activities marking the 70th anniversary celebration of the Nigerian Navy scheduled to take place in Lagos from June 1 to 4, 2026.
Speaking on future engagements, the ambassador stressed the need to convene the next session of the Nigeria-Algeria High Bilateral Cooperation Commission later in 2026 in Algeria.
He also called for the revitalisation of the Political Consultation Mechanism at the Permanent Secretary level to strengthen policy coordination between both countries.
In her remarks, Odumegwu-Ojukwu commended the Algerian ambassador for his efforts in strengthening bilateral ties and reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to sustaining over six decades of diplomatic relations with Algeria.
The minister underscored the importance of Nigeria-Algeria cooperation in peace and security, humanitarian affairs, economic integration, infrastructure development, and intra-African trade.
She reiterated Nigeria’s support for the Trans-Saharan Highway and other regional connectivity projects, noting their significance in promoting continental integration and economic growth under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu also expressed appreciation for Algeria’s scholarship programmes for Nigerian students and described the parliamentary and military exchange initiatives as vital tools for strengthening institutional cooperation and mutual understanding.
Both countries agreed on the need to fast-track the implementation of existing bilateral agreements ahead of the forthcoming session of the Bi-National Cooperation Commission.