By Zainab Bakare
Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire have agreed to deepen bilateral cooperation and revive the Nigeria–Côte d’Ivoire Bi-National Commission as part of renewed efforts to strengthen regional stability, economic integration and strategic partnership in West Africa.
The commitment was reached during a bilateral meeting between Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, and Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Integration and the Diaspora, Nialé Kaba, on the sidelines of the ECOWAS Mid-Year Summit in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
According to a statement by the Spokesperson of Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, Ambassador Enikanolaiye praised the longstanding relationship between both countries and stressed the need for closer collaboration and regular consultations between two of West Africa’s leading economies.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to expanding bilateral engagements across the sub-region to foster economic growth, strengthen diplomatic ties and promote regional development.
Responding, Minister Kaba congratulated Enikanolaiye on his appointment and described stronger Nigeria–Côte d’Ivoire relations as vital to the peace, stability and prosperity of West Africa.
She also recalled raising the issue of deeper cooperation during discussions with Nigeria’s Ahunna Eziakonwa following her appointment as Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations.
A key outcome of the meeting was the decision to revive the Nigeria–Côte d’Ivoire Bi-National Commission, whose last session was held in Abidjan in 2021.
Both ministers agreed to review existing bilateral agreements, assess their implementation and identify new areas for cooperation.
The two countries also pledged to strengthen collaboration on political, economic and multilateral issues, reaffirming their shared commitment to advancing regional integration and delivering tangible benefits to citizens across West Africa.
