By Omoyeni Ojeifo
In an effort to combat terrorism, violent extremism, human trafficking, drug trafficking, alongside other forms of transnational organised crime across West Africa, Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire have agreed to strengthen security cooperation and intelligence sharing.
The agreement followed a meeting between Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and Côte d’Ivoire’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Kalilou Toure, in Abuja.
According to a statement by the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, obtained by Persecondnews, both countries stressed the need for coordinated regional responses and stronger defence cooperation to promote peace, constitutional order, and stability within the West African sub-region.
The discussions also covered trade, investment, industrial development, migration, culture, and consular affairs.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu described Côte d’Ivoire as one of Nigeria’s major trading partners in Africa and called for expanded cooperation in cosmetics, perfumes, coffee production, petroleum products, technical partnerships, and industrial manufacturing.
Both countries also reviewed existing Memoranda of Understanding and expressed optimism over the implementation of pending bilateral agreements ahead of the next bilateral session scheduled to hold in Côte d’Ivoire.
The discussions also highlighted the role of parliamentary engagement and stronger institutional cooperation in promoting democratic consolidation, good governance, and regional stability.
They further explored possible prisoner transfer arrangements involving convicted nationals in line with existing legal provisions and bilateral agreements.
Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining high-level diplomatic engagements and advancing bilateral relations for the benefit of the West African region and Africa at large.
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