The Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to Nigeria, Mohamed Fouad, has emphasized the need to scale up trade and investment relations between Egypt and Nigeria, describing it as a top priority for both governments.
Speaking in Abuja during the commemoration of the 73rd National Day of Egypt, Ambassador Fouad highlighted the longstanding historical and cultural ties between the two nations, dating back centuries. He referenced Al-Azhar AlSharif University in Cairo, which hosted students from Northern Nigeria at the historic “Borno Pavilion.” According to him, hundreds of Nigerian students currently study in Egyptian institutions, contributing to stronger bilateral ties.
“We are proud of the growing people-to-people exchanges through tourism, business, and education, which form the bedrock of our bilateral relations,” he said.
The envoy noted the significant role Egyptian companies have played in Nigeria’s development, particularly in sectors such as construction, energy, and communications, adding that this cooperation has created jobs and spurred economic growth.
“Our two countries are moving forward with a shared vision in key areas including security, counter-terrorism, infrastructure, agriculture, healthcare, and education,” he stated, stressing that the relationship is anchored in common values and mutual interests.
Ambassador Fouad also outlined Egypt’s ongoing transformation under President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s “New Republic” agenda, which focuses on sustainable development, modernization, and regional cooperation. He said Egypt’s progress in infrastructure, energy, and education aligns with Nigeria’s own development goals.
He revealed that both countries are working to redefine their bilateral relations in the face of global challenges. As part of this effort, Egypt and Nigeria held their third round of bilateral political consultations in Cairo last January, for the first time at the level of Foreign Ministers.
“The consultations culminated in a joint statement by our Foreign Ministers, H.E. Dr. Badr Abd-Elatty and H.E. Youssef Tuggar, formally elevating our relations to a comprehensive partnership,” he said.
