Nigeria and Thailand have committed to deepen relations across technology, agriculture, commerce and renewable energy, with Vice President Kashim Shettima pressing for a review of the bilateral partnership at a strategic level, moving beyond decades of trade limited largely to crude oil and rice.
The commitment emerged from a meeting between Shettima and a Thai delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where Nigeria pushed to leverage Thailand’s strength in deploying intermediate technology for agriculture and related sectors.
Speaking on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Shettima said Nigeria’s large market, young workforce and abundant natural resources present enormous opportunities for partnership and investment in agriculture, ICT, renewable energy and solid minerals, urging Thailand to continue doing business with Nigeria given its strategic position on the continent.
Phuangketkeow, on his first trip to Africa, praised Nigeria’s ongoing transformation under the Tin
ubu administration, describing the country as a strategic partner and a strong voice in the Global South. He unveiled Thailand’s proposed Thailand Africa Initiative, aimed at strengthening people to people ties and economic cooperation, with agriculture, universal health coverage and tourism among its key focus areas.
The Deputy Prime Minister described Nigeria as an important gateway for deepening Thailand’s ties with West Africa, framing the bilateral relationship as central to the broader continental strategy.
The meeting also drew Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dunoma Umar Ahmed, and Thailand’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Thirapath Mongkolnavin, alongside senior officials from both countries’ foreign ministries.
By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed
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