Nigeria and Thailand have agreed to elevate their bilateral relationship to a strategic level following a high-level meeting on Friday in Bangkok between Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, and his Thai counterpart, Sihasak Phuangketkeow.
In a statement issued after the meeting, Tuggar proposed that Thailand play a bridging role between Africa and Asia by facilitating deeper cooperation between ECOWAS and ASEAN, with an eventual ASEAN–ECOWAS Summit as a long-term goal.
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Both ministers reviewed existing areas of cooperation, including Nigeria’s crude oil exports and Thailand’s rice and machinery exports, and discussed expanding the partnership to cover agro-processing, renewable energy, manufacturing and ICT. They also explored scholarship opportunities for Nigerian students.
On security, Tuggar called for strengthened collaboration against transnational crimes, including drug and human trafficking. He proposed enhanced intelligence sharing and joint training initiatives between both countries.
To consolidate the new momentum, the Nigerian Foreign Minister urged the speedy conclusion of outstanding bilateral agreements on trade, investment and culture, with the aim of establishing a high-level joint commission.
The meeting ended with Nigeria reaffirming Thailand as its strategic partner in Asia and extending an invitation for reciprocal high-level visits.
