Egypt has officially waived visa requirements for Nigerian diplomats as part of a new partnership agreement, elevating the relationship between the two countries to a “Comprehensive Partnership.”
The announcement came as representatives from both nations convened in Cairo for a series of discussions aimed at expanding collaboration in various sectors.
The issue of security cooperation was also a key focus of the talks.
A statement from the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs revealed that Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, led the Nigerian delegation to Cairo for the third round of political consultations with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty.
The statement, signed by the Minister’s media aide, Alkasim Abdulkadir, confirmed that both foreign ministers agreed to strengthen their bilateral relations through a “Comprehensive Partnership,” with an emphasis on mutual respect for the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of both nations.
The Nigerian delegation included Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, the Minister of Water Resources, and Abubakar Kyari, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security.
The statement further highlighted that the two countries had agreed to intensify cooperation on regional and international issues, aiming to bolster the African Union’s role in addressing continental challenges and advancing Agenda 2063.
The talks also addressed the shared concern of terrorism and extremism, with Egypt and Nigeria agreeing to enhance their security collaboration.
This includes sharing best practices for implementing comprehensive counter-terrorism strategies.
Both countries expressed a commitment to supporting conflict resolution efforts in Africa, focusing on peacebuilding and sustainable development.
Additionally, the ministers acknowledged the potential for increased economic cooperation and agreed to encourage both government and private sector participation in key areas such as agriculture, energy, telecommunications, and infrastructure development.
Plans were also discussed to establish a Nigeria-Egypt Chamber of Commerce by 2025, with the official launch expected during the fourth round of ministerial-level consultations in Abuja in 2026.
As part of their ongoing efforts to strengthen bilateral ties, the ministers commended recent agreements on visa exemptions for diplomatic passport holders and the revision of visa fees for citizens of both countries.
These changes aim to facilitate easier travel and promote stronger people-to-people connections between Nigeria and Egypt.
The next session of the Joint Committee at the ministerial level is scheduled for the final quarter of 2025, reflecting the commitment of both countries to continue deepening their partnership.
