Tuggar Seeks Closer Economic Ties with Canada

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, has called for the strengthening of bilateral and economic  ties between Nigeria and Canada.

Tuggar recently paid a working visit to Canada, where he engaged with various critical stakeholders in furtherance of Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with the country.

He said during his meeting with the Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mélanie Joly, Tuggar that Nigeria was Canada’s largest trade partner in Africa and called on both countries to strengthen trade ties, given the ongoing implementation of the AfCFTA.

Similarly, the Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mélanie Joly, stated that Canada was committed to supporting socioeconomic development in Nigeria and the wider region for mutual benefit.

According to a statement by the spokesman of the Nigeria’s Minister, Alkasim AbdulKadir, both countries resolved to take steps to finalise the outstanding MOUs, including the bilateral Foreign Investment Protection and Promotion Agreement (FIPPA) ahead of the Canadian Trade Mission to Nigeria in June 2024.

He said, the ministers also discussed regional security in Africa, with Joly lauding Nigeria’s leadership role in the region and offered Canada’s support in strengthening stability and democracy in West Africa.

“They also agreed to work together on a range of regional and global issues, ranging from seeking peaceful resolutions to conflicts to multilateral reform and countering disinformation.

“The bilateral engagement represents a significant step forward in the already robust relations between the two countries,” he said.

AbdulKadir said Tuggar also met with the Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association (CAAF) to discuss Canada-Nigeria relations and regional African issues.

He used the opportunity to explain the 4-D foreign policy thrust and ongoing developments in ECOWAS and the implementation of the AfCFTA.