Nigeria, Namibia Pledge to Deepen Ties During UNGA Courtesy Visit
On the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly, the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Republic of Namibia reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation for mutual benefit. The agreement followed a courtesy visit by Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima in New York.
Vice President Shettima is in New York representing President Bola Tinubu and is scheduled to deliver Nigeria’s national statement before the assembly.
During the meeting, President Nandi-Ndaitwah, Namibia’s first female head of state, inaugurated in March 2025, expressed gratitude for Nigeria’s longstanding support, particularly during Namibia’s struggle for independence.
She also praised Nigerian diplomats for their impactful presence in Namibia’s governance and public life.
Speaking to Shettima, she said the UNGA setting offered an opportune moment to meet, and vowed to visit Abuja soon to formally introduce herself to President Tinubu.
In response, Shettima welcomed the courtesy visit and reaffirmed Nigeria’s resolve to elevate its relationship with Namibia to a deeper level.
“We are all Africans, and the Nigeria-Namibia relationship should be taken to the next level, beyond where it is now,” he said.
High-ranking officials from both nations attended the meeting, including Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar, the Ministers for Women Affairs and Social Development Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, and Education Minister Maruf Alausa.
In a related engagement, Shettima also met with a delegation from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation led by CEO Mark Suzman.
He commended the foundation’s contributions to health, agriculture, and financial inclusion in Nigeria, and called for expanded commitments.
Shettima reiterated that Nigeria’s development goals are grounded in macroeconomic stability, enhanced productivity, and investments in infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture, and education, aiming for sustained annual growth of at least 7%.
For her part, President Nandi-Ndaitwah used the occasion to press for broader reforms in global governance, including a permanent seat for Africa on the United Nations Security Council.
The meeting marks a renewed focus on Nigeria–Namibia ties, setting the stage for potential collaborations across diplomacy, trade, education, and development.
Source: Agence de Press Aficaine
