Nigeria and Japan have agreed to deepen economic ties through increased investment, industrial development, technology transfer and energy cooperation to achieve more meaningful growth.

Foreign affairs minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu disclosed this during a bilateral meeting with Japan’s ambassador to Nigeria, Suzuki Hideo, on Tuesday in Abuja, marking 66 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries, according to a statement on Wednesday.

The minister said Nigeria is committed to a strategic, mutually beneficial partnership with Japan, built on Japan’s long-standing development assistance. She called for stronger efforts to translate bilateral agreements into tangible economic and development outcomes.

Ms Odumegwu-Ojukwu spoke on the need to implement the outcomes of the 10th Nigeria-Japan Special Partnership Forum held in Abuja on August 27, 2026. She said this could be done through concrete programmes, investment commitments and regular consultations between the foreign affairs ministries of both countries.

She also stressed the need to build stronger partnerships between Nigerian and Japanese companies through joint ventures, local content development, skills transfer and integration into Japanese supply chains.

“Greater engagement by the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) was encouraged to connect investors with credible Nigerian businesses and public-sector partners,” she said.

Ms Odumegwu-Ojukwu further highlighted Japan’s development cooperation through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture, education and technical training.

According to her, Nigeria welcomes a JICA-supported $10 million initiative that could strengthen the country’s start-up ecosystem through catalytic capital and institutional development, in partnership with the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority.

On regional security, she acknowledged Japan’s contribution to peace-building, humanitarian assistance and stabilisation in Nigeria and West Africa.

(NAN)