Deputy foreign affairs minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, on Monday, reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Italy. Ms Odumegwu-Ojukwu disclosed this in a statement.

The minister stated this against the backdrop of her meeting with Roberto Mengoni, the ambassador of Italy to Nigeria, during the latter’s courtesy visit to her office. She stressed that Italy remained a strategic partner for Nigeria in Europe, with bilateral ties reinforced by high-level visits.

According to her, despite at least six decades of diplomatic ties with Italy, Nigeria does not have a bi-national commission with Italy, and she is calling for one.

Ms Odumegwu-Ojukwu said, “Such engagements have continued to underscore the shared interests of both nations in sustainable development, food security, and economic cooperation. The strategic nature of this relationship is further evidenced by ongoing diplomatic consultations that address global challenges, including climate change, irregular migration, and regional security concerns.”

She underscored the need to sustain joint dedication to combating illegal migration, human trafficking, and transnational crime by both countries, while inviting deeper Italian engagement in Nigeria’s economic reform agenda.

In particular, Italy provides technical support in Nigeria’s industrialisation efforts across sectors such as renewable energy, agribusiness, and infrastructure.

She also highlighted the importance of ease of mobility as a catalyst for trade, investment, education, and cultural exchange between the two countries.

Also, improving the efficiency of visa issuance and processing will not only reduce delays and frustrations for applicants but also directly support economic cooperation and diplomatic engagement.

The minister called for the establishment of efficient trade facilitation mechanisms that would enable Nigerian agricultural and manufactured products reach the Italian market directly, reducing transit costs, improving supply chain efficiency, and enhancing market competitiveness.

She further identified migration as a challenge and an opportunity in Nigeria-Italy relations, as both countries worked to address irregular migration while facilitating legal pathways for movement.

Ms Odumegwu-Ojukwu explained that the bilateral cooperation had surpassed repatriation agreements, voluntary return programmes, and reintegration support for Nigerian nationals returning from Italy.

According to her, the joint initiatives tackling human trafficking networks that operate between both countries focus on protecting vulnerable populations.

She mentioned that the two nations had developed programmes to create economic opportunities in Nigeria that might reduce migration pressures, including vocational training and small business development projects in regions with high migration rates.

Mr Mengoni said his country looked forward to improving its bilateral relations with Nigeria, based on its policy strategy to build stronger cooperation and business ties with Africa.

The ambassador, who arrived in Nigeria recently, expressed his determination to ensure Italy maximises Nigeria’s strategic position on the continent to the mutual benefit of both countries.

“We now have the momentum to talk with Nigeria and enhance cooperation between the two countries. We are not the kind of country that would want to impose things on an African country,” the envoy assured. 

(NAN)