Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with the Czech Republic through enhanced institutional cooperation, trade partnerships, technology transfer, and sustainable development initiatives.
The Honourable Minister stated this on Tuesday, 26th May, 2026, while receiving the Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Nigeria, Tomas Vyprachticky. This was contained in a statement signed by Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, anipr, Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja.
During the meeting, Ambassador Vyprachticky congratulated the Honourable Minister on her appointment as Foreign Minister and conveyed the goodwill of the Czech Government for continuous engagement with Nigeria. He reiterated the commitment of the Czech Republic to expanding cooperation with Nigeria across key sectors, including agriculture, investment, industrialisation, healthcare, renewable energy, education, innovation, and technical cooperation.
He described Nigeria as a strategic partner and a country of immense political and economic potential within Sub-Saharan Africa. He noted that the Czech Embassy in Abuja remained actively engaged in facilitating government-to-government and business-to-business partnerships aimed at promoting mutually beneficial economic cooperation.
Speaking on existing cooperation projects, officials of the Czech Embassy highlighted ongoing developmental and commercial engagements across several Nigerian States, including Taraba, Delta, Edo, Ondo, Bauchi, Plateau, Lagos, Rivers, and Zamfara states, among others. Particular reference was made to the supply of nearly 1,000 specially designed tractors and agricultural equipment designed by engineers from both countries to Taraba State in 2024 to support mechanised farming and agricultural productivity.
In her remarks, the Minister of Foreign Affairs recalled the longstanding cordial relations between Nigeria and the former Czechoslovakia, particularly in the areas of industrialisation, technical cooperation, educational exchange programmes, and machinery supply. She commended the Czech Republic for its developmental contributions to Nigeria and emphasised the need for a framework to institutionalise bilateral engagements through a stronger coordination mechanism. She therefore proposed the strengthening and revitalisation of bilateral frameworks, including the establishment of a Joint Commission mechanism to coordinate cooperation in critical sectors such as trade, agriculture, defence, education, technology, and industrial development.
Both sides expressed satisfaction with the steady growth in Nigeria–Czech Republic relations and reaffirmed their commitment to deepening diplomatic engagement and expanding cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
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