By Joy Odor
Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has reaffirmed the country’s commitment to promoting democracy in Africa.
This statement was made during a courtesy visit by Malawi’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Nancy Gladys Tembo, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja.
Amb. Odumegwu-Ojukwu emphasized that democracy is a major pillar of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s foreign policy approach, known as the “4Ds” (Democracy, Development, Demography, and Diaspora).
According to her, Nigeria pledged to support Malawi in its forthcoming general elections in September, demonstrating its commitment to democratic processes in Africa.
She informed that Nigeria offered to provide technical assistance to Malawi through its Technical Aid Corps, particularly in areas like education, where Malawi faces a shortage of trained teachers.
“We have two MOUs that need to be reactivated. There were signed in 2012 after President Goodluck Jonathan visited Malawi. So, we’re looking forward to your opening the Embassy.
“Nigeria got Independence in 1960 and Malawi followed in 1964. It’s surprising that Nigeria and Malawi have not been able to concretise our excellent bilateral relationship. I think your opening a resident diplomatic mission here will herald a new era in our country to country engagements,” she said.
Earlier, Malawi’s Foreign Affairs Minister, told Odumegwu-Ojukwu that Malawi plans to open its Embassy in Abuja, which Odumegwu-Ojukwu welcomed, saying it would bolster bilateral relations between the two countries.
Malawi’s Minister Tembo invited Nigerian investors to explore the country’s rich mineral deposits, highlighting opportunities for bilateral trade and investment.
“The Afreximbank meeting was an opportunity for people to meet. My country is looking forward to bilateral cooperation with Nigeria. Already, we are comfortable with Nigerians doing business in Malawi. We want to strengthen bilateral cooperation with Nigeria. Afreximbank has helped us to awaken our relationship.
Over the years, we were relying solely on agriculture but we’ve realised that we have huge endowments of minerals. So, we invite investors in mining; Nigerians inclusive. We recently established a mining regulatory agency,” the Malawian Minister said.
She described her visit to Nigeria as exciting, and looked forward to receiving Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Odumegwu-Ojukwu, in Malawi.
The meeting between the two ministers signifies a new era in Nigeria-Malawi relations, with both countries expressing commitment to strengthening their bilateral ties.
The opening of Malawi’s Embassy in Abuja is expected to enhance cooperation in areas like trade, education, and diplomacy.
