Nigeria and Angola are set to take their long-standing diplomatic and economic partnership to new heights, as no fewer than 15 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) are expected to be signed at the ongoing 5th session of the Nigeria-Angola Bilateral Economic Joint Commission (BEJC) in Luanda.
Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, who is leading the Nigerian delegation, said the MoUs would play pivotal roles in advancing mutual interests, boosting domestic institutions, promoting social and economic development, and enhancing capacity-building between the two countries.
According to her, the agreements cut across diverse sectors including: the establishment of a Nigeria-Angola Business Council; economic and technical cooperation; migration partnership; policing and security collaboration; defence and intelligence; cultural exchanges; cooperation in higher education; transfer of sentenced persons; correctional administration reforms; youth development; anti-corruption strategies; mining and mineral processing; public communication and media cooperation; transportation; as well as health and medical sciences.
Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu expressed delight that the joint commission was revived after over two decades since the last session held in Abuja in October 2001. She noted that despite earlier unsuccessful attempts in 2013, both countries remained committed to reactivating the partnership, stressing that the progress achieved this year marked a major milestone in Nigeria-Angola relations.
“This reactivation, which has birthed the 5th Session of the Joint Commission, has provided an opportunity to resuscitate moribund agreements and create new frameworks of cooperation,” she said. “Nineteen MoUs and two twinning agreements involving Bayelsa and Nasarawa States with Angolan provinces are also being considered for signing.”
She added that discussions would also cover cooperation in technical manpower development, bilateral air services, banking operations, oil and gas investment, and elimination of double taxation.
On his part, Angola’s Secretary of State for International Cooperation, Domingos Vieira Lopes, welcomed the Nigerian delegation and stressed that the meeting was a fresh opportunity to strengthen bonds between African nations. He praised Nigeria’s historic role in recognizing Angola’s independence in 1975, describing the new agreements as instruments that would accelerate development and mutual prosperity.
The 5th session of the Nigeria-Angola Bilateral Economic Joint Commission will conclude on Friday in Luanda.
By Folake Sokoya
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