Angola and Nigeria have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and promoting deeper regional cooperation across Africa.
The pledge was made at the weekend during Angola’s 50th Independence Anniversary celebration in Abuja, themed “Pieces of Angola’s History Told by the Protagonists.” The event drew diplomats, scholars, business leaders, and veterans to commemorate five decades of Angola’s independence and 49 years of diplomatic friendship with Nigeria.
Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, represented by Ambassador Nonyelum Afoekelu, Deputy Director and Head of the Southern African Affairs Division, reiterated Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to the partnership.
“There is no doubt that there is room for more collaboration in these new areas identified by both countries during the Joint Commission,” Afoekelu said. “Nigeria remains committed to deepening the strong bilateral ties with Angola for the mutual benefit of both nations.”
Angola’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Benin, Niger, and ECOWAS, José Bamaquina Zau, emphasized his country’s focus on expanding cooperation in trade, security, and cultural exchange.
According to him, both countries are working on 29 cooperation agreements and memoranda of understanding, including visa exemptions and business partnerships, to boost commerce between Luanda and Lagos.
“We are committed to ensuring that investors from both countries can move freely and build lasting prosperity,” Zau stated.
The envoy lauded the long-standing brotherhood and solidarity between Angola and Nigeria, describing their relationship as one rooted in shared struggles and African unity.
During the event, Zau presented special awards to distinguished retired Nigerian generals — Gen. Ike Nwachukwu, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, Maj. Gen. Chris Garuba, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa, and Brig. Gen. Buba Saleh — in recognition of their contributions to the United Nations peacekeeping and unification efforts in Angola.
“The awards are a symbolic gesture of gratitude for their selfless contributions to Angola’s political emancipation and peace process,” he said, recalling the devastation of Angola’s 27-year civil war that followed independence in 1975.
Zau also expressed appreciation to former Angolan Ambassador to Nigeria, Eustaquio Januario Quibato, for laying the foundation for stronger diplomatic and cultural relations between both nations.
He reaffirmed Angola’s readiness to deepen cooperation with Nigeria in the areas of trade, investment, security, and regional integration.
