Aiyub bin Omar, Malaysia’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, has reiterated his country’s dedication to strengthening diplomatic relations with Nigeria, particularly in trade and education, as they approach 60 years of bilateral relations by 2025.

Mr Omar, speaking at an event commemorating Nigeria’s 67th Independence Day and Malaysia’s 61st National Day on Friday in Abuja, highlighted Malaysia’s contributions to the African country’s development through technical assistance and expertise under the South-South Cooperation framework.

He said that since 1981, 569 Nigerian government officials have benefitted from the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP) in various technical courses, including trade, economy, construction skills, and cybersecurity.

Mr Omar emphasised the longstanding relationship between the two nations, built on mutual interest in politics and economy.

“In essence, our bilateral relations focus on trade, education, people-to-people contact, and bilateral development assistance.

“Globally, Nigeria ranks as Malaysia’s 37th trading partner, with total bilateral trade valued at $956 million in 2023. This year, our bilateral trade reached $747 million by July; Nigeria is currently Malaysia’s fourth largest trading partner in Africa, after South Africa, Kenya, and Côte d’Ivoire.

“Malaysia remains a preferred destination for Nigerian students pursuing tertiary education, with approximately 3,386 students enrolled in Malaysian public and private institutions.

“Malaysia’s journey to post-independence was marked by challenges, struggles, and negotiations among political parties, ultimately leading to self-governance,” said Mr Omar.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, represented by Mistura Abdulraheem, the director of the Asia-Pacific Division, commended the Malaysian people for their unity, resilience, and progress.

He noted that Nigeria and Malaysia have a longstanding diplomatic relationship built on mutual respect, shared aspirations, and common interests, which have been strengthened through economic cooperation.

Mr Tuggar said Malaysia and Nigeria had enjoyed diplomatic ties for decades, citing the collaboration between the two countries, which has facilitated critical exchange in technology transfer, capacity building, and innovation.

“This partnership in technology highlights the potential of our countries working together to address the challenges of the 21st century.

“By leveraging Malaysia’s advancements in areas such as ICT, digital innovation, sustainable development, and oil markets, we are creating opportunities for our people and economies,” said Mr Tuggar.

(NAN)