Pakistan and Nigeria held a high-level meeting at the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja today to strengthen economic cooperation, deepen trade and investment ties, and foster closer bilateral relations. The discussions were hosted by His Excellency Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, OON, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria, and attended by Mr. Rana Ihsaan Afzal Khan, Coordinator to the Prime Minister of Pakistan on Commerce. His Excellency Major General (Retd) Sohail Ahmad Khan, High Commissioner of Pakistan to Nigeria, also attended, highlighting the commitment to high-level diplomatic engagement.
Both sides expressed strong political will to elevate the Nigeria-Pakistan relationship to new heights. Key highlights of the meeting included the agreement to fast-track the finalization and signing of the Nigeria-Pakistan Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA), with technical teams tasked to resolve outstanding issues as quickly as possible.
The two nations committed to introducing measures to facilitate easier visa issuance for Pakistani businesspersons, investors, and tourists traveling to Nigeria, along with reciprocal facilitation for Nigerian nationals visiting Pakistan. An invitation was extended on behalf of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for an official visit to Pakistan at a mutually convenient date.
Opportunities in key sectors such as energy, agriculture, textiles, pharmaceuticals, information technology, and halal trade were explored, with both countries reaffirming their shared commitment to supporting each other in multilateral forums.
Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy, has a GDP of over $477 billion (nominal, 2025 estimates) and a population exceeding 230 million, the continent’s largest and the world’s sixth-largest. The country’s vast oil and gas reserves, rapidly expanding services and technology sectors, and youthful workforce make it a key driver of entrepreneurship, innovation, and regional stability. As a founding member of ECOWAS and a leading contributor to peacekeeping missions across Africa, Nigeria wields significant political and cultural influence across the continent.
Both Pakistan and Nigeria expressed confidence that the meeting would lead to tangible economic gains and enhanced people-to-people contacts in the near future.
