Egypt has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening strategic ties with Nigeria to advance African-led solutions to the continent’s challenges and promote a more equitable global order that reflects Africa’s aspirations.
The Egyptian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mohammed Fouad, made the pledge on Thursday in Abuja during a reception marking the 74th anniversary of Egypt’s July 23, 1952 Revolution, describing the historic uprising as a defining moment that restored Egypt’s dignity, independence and national pride.
Speaking at the event, Fouad said Egypt and Nigeria, as two of Africa’s leading diplomatic powers, share a responsibility to champion unity, sovereignty and multilateral cooperation across the continent. “Egypt and Nigeria are pillars of African diplomacy. Together we champion African unity, sovereignty and multilateralism. We advocate African solutions to African problems and a fairer global order that reflects Africa’s aspirations. “By coordinating our positions in regional organisations, we amplify Africa’s voice on development finance, peacekeeping, climate justice and in shaping policies that deliver tangible benefits to our citizens,” he said.
The ambassador noted that Egypt and Nigeria have sustained 65 years of formal diplomatic relations since shortly after Nigeria gained independence in 1960, describing the partnership as one that has evolved beyond government-to-government engagement into strong people-to-people relations.
According to him, educational exchanges remain one of the strongest pillars of the relationship, with more than 10,000 Nigerian students currently enrolled in Egyptian universities, helping to nurture a new generation of leaders and professionals with strong bilateral ties.
He added that tourism, trade, business and academic exchanges between both countries had continued to expand, laying a solid foundation for broader economic and strategic cooperation. “At a time of global uncertainty, Egypt and Nigeria recognise the importance of redefining and deepening our partnership to address shared challenges,” Fouad said.
Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Amb. Omar Ahmed, congratulated the Egyptian government and people on the anniversary, describing relations between both countries as a cornerstone of African diplomacy.
She said Nigeria remained committed to expanding bilateral cooperation with Egypt by exploring new opportunities for investment, innovation and sustainable development in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and Egypt’s strategic development priorities. “Nigeria is dedicated to strengthening its bilateral relations with Egypt, actively seeking new channels for investment and innovation that support both our Renewed Hope Agenda and Egypt’s Strategic Development Goals. “By harnessing our collective resources and dynamic youth population, we are poised to foster a more prosperous, stable and secure Africa,” she said.
The minister also commended the longstanding diplomatic cooperation between both countries on regional and global issues, noting that Nigeria and Egypt have consistently supported each other’s positions in international forums.
She reaffirmed their shared commitment to conflict prevention and peacebuilding across Africa, reform of the United Nations system, implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the peaceful resolution of the Arab-Israeli conflict, while emphasising respect for the sovereignty and internal affairs of independent states.
The event highlighted the enduring partnership between Africa’s two largest economies, with both nations pledging to strengthen collaboration in diplomacy, trade, education and regional security to advance peace, stability and sustainable development across the continent.
