Nigeria and Thailand have agreed to strengthen their longstanding bilateral relationship through expanded cooperation in trade, investment, agriculture, technology, security, healthcare and other strategic areas.The agreement followed the inaugural Nigeria-Thailand Bilateral Consultations Meeting held in Abuja, where senior officials from both countries reviewed existing relations and explored new areas of partnership.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and signed by its Spokesperson, Oluwafemi Timothy Adeniyi, on Tuesday, the consultations also provided an opportunity for both sides to exchange views on regional and international developments.
The Nigerian delegation was led by Ambassador Grema Garba, Director, Regions Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while Thailand’s delegation was headed by Mrs. Sirilak Nyom, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The meeting also marked a step towards implementing the Memorandum of Understanding on the Establishment of Bilateral Consultations, signed during the visit of Thailand’s then Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister to Nigeria in 2023.
Nigeria and Thailand have maintained diplomatic relations since 1962, with both countries describing the relationship as cordial and mutually beneficial.
During the consultations, Nigeria identified several areas where stronger cooperation could generate economic and development benefits, including agriculture and food security, trade and investment, energy, manufacturing, tourism, healthcare, technology and technical cooperation.
Both countries also highlighted their complementary economic positions, with Nigeria offering access to the large African market, while Thailand provides opportunities for entry into Southeast Asia and the broader Asian market.
Boosting Trade and Investment
The two sides identified agriculture, agro-processing, oil and gas, renewable energy, manufacturing, mining, healthcare, tourism, ICT and infrastructure as priority sectors for increased investment and commercial cooperation.
They also considered measures to revive or operationalise the Joint Trade Committee, increase private-sector participation and remove barriers to trade and investment.
Agriculture featured prominently in the discussions, with Nigeria seeking to benefit from Thailand’s experience in rice production, cassava processing, aquaculture, agricultural machinery and food processing.
Nigeria also called for increased Thai investment in its agricultural value chains, particularly in areas capable of strengthening food production, agro-industrial development and economic diversification.
Visa and Migration Concerns
Consular and migration issues were also discussed, with Nigeria raising concerns about visa procedures affecting its citizens travelling to Thailand for business, investment, education and tourism.
Nigeria called for visa processing procedures that are more transparent, efficient and predictable.
The consultations also covered trafficking in persons, migrant smuggling, protection of nationals, repatriation and possible prisoner-transfer arrangements.
Nigeria, Thailand to Intensify Security Cooperation
On security, both countries agreed on the importance of closer collaboration against transnational organised crime, including drug trafficking, human trafficking, cybercrime and online scams.
Thailand highlighted its existing cooperation with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and discussed progress towards a proposed Memorandum of Understanding on narcotic drug control and suppression.
The Thai delegation also presented the SHIELD database as a platform for information-sharing on scams and human trafficking.
It expressed readiness to deepen cooperation with Nigerian authorities through intelligence sharing, digital forensics, law-enforcement coordination and capacity-building programmes.
Training, Scholarships and Technology
Nigeria and Thailand further agreed to explore opportunities for technical cooperation through the Thailand International Cooperation Agency.
Potential areas include training programmes, scholarships and institutional partnerships covering agriculture, food innovation, climate resilience, renewable energy and digital technology.
The two countries also reaffirmed support for multilateralism, international peace and security, regional integration and a rules-based international system.
Both sides backed comprehensive reform of the United Nations Security Council to provide Africa with more equitable representation and enhance the participation of developing countries in global decision-making.
Nigeria also welcomed Thailand’s Thailand-Africa Initiative and expressed its readiness to support deeper Thai engagement with the African Union and ECOWAS.
Focus on Regional Peace and Multilateral Cooperation
The consultations provided an opportunity for the two countries to discuss developments in their respective regions, including insecurity in West Africa and the Sahel.
They emphasised the importance of dialogue, confidence-building and coordinated international responses to emerging security challenges.
Nigeria and Thailand also agreed to maintain consultations on issues of common interest within multilateral organisations and explore mutual support for candidates seeking positions in international institutions.
At the end of the meeting, both sides expressed satisfaction with the outcome and committed to converting the discussions into concrete programmes and measurable areas of cooperation.
Thailand offered to host the second Nigeria-Thailand Bilateral Consultations in Bangkok on a mutually agreed date and expressed interest in progressing outstanding bilateral agreements.
Nigeria, meanwhile, reaffirmed its commitment to working with Thailand to strengthen their longstanding friendship and build a broader partnership covering economic development, agriculture, technology, security, consular affairs, technical cooperation and multilateral diplomacy.
The statement was signed by Oluwafemi Timothy Adeniyi, Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja.