Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire have agreed to review existing bilateral agreements, assess their implementation and explore new areas of cooperation. The two countries also pledged to strengthen collaboration across bilateral and multilateral platforms for the mutual benefit of their citizens.

Foreign affairs minister Sola Enikanolaiye disclosed this in a statement on Friday by the ministry’s spokesman, Kimiebi Ebienfa.

The statement followed a bilateral meeting between Mr Enikanolaiye and his Ivorian counterpart Nialé Kaba, on the sidelines of the ongoing ECOWAS Mid-Year Summit in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

According to the statement, the meeting focused on promoting regional prosperity, stability and integration.

Mr Enikanolaiye appreciated Ms Kaba for honouring his request for the meeting and commended the cordial bilateral relations between both countries.

He stressed the need for closer consultation and collaboration between Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire as key regional partners.

The minister also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening bilateral engagements across West Africa to deepen regional cooperation.

Ms Kaba congratulated Mr Enikanolaiye on his appointment and endorsed the call for stronger collaboration between the two countries.

According to her, the stability of the West African region depends largely on strong relations between Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire.

She also congratulated Nigeria’s Ahunna Eziakonwa on her recent appointment as an assistant secretary-general of the United Nations.

Ms Kaba further called for the reactivation of the Nigeria–Côte d’Ivoire Bi-National Commission, noting that its last session was held in Abidjan in 2021. 

(NAN)