Nigeria and Thailand have agreed to strengthen their bilateral relationship and expand cooperation in technology, agriculture, commerce and renewable energy.
The commitment came during a high-level meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where Vice President Kashim Shettima received a Thai delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sihasak Phuangketkeow.
Representing President Bola Tinubu, Shettima said Nigeria and Thailand must move beyond traditional trade relations and explore new areas of economic partnership.
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“I believe that our relationship should go beyond transactions in crude oil, rice production, and so on,” Shettima said, calling for a review of existing bilateral agreements.
He said Nigeria’s large market, youthful population and growing workforce offered significant opportunities for foreign investment in agriculture, ICT, renewable energy and solid minerals.
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Shettima also positioned Nigeria as a gateway to Africa, citing its large population, growing technology ecosystem and abundant natural resources as key factors that could attract greater foreign direct investment.
He expressed Nigeria’s interest in Thailand’s expertise in intermediate technology to modernise agricultural production and strengthen agro-processing.
Phuangketkeow, who was on his first official diplomatic visit to Africa, introduced the Thailand-Africa Initiative, a proposed framework to deepen Thailand’s engagement with major African economies through increased trade, business partnerships and cultural exchanges.
He identified modern agriculture, tourism and Universal Health Coverage (UHC) as key areas of cooperation under the initiative.
“For us in Thailand, we believe that Nigeria is a strategic partner bilaterally and an important window to strengthening ties with Africa, particularly West Africa,” Phuangketkeow said.
He also commended the economic reforms of the Tinubu administration, describing Nigeria as a leading voice in the Global South and an emerging force in e-commerce.
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Senior officials from both countries attended the meeting, including the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dunoma Ahmed, and Thailand’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Thirapath Mongkolnavin.
