Nigeria and Japan are exploring plans to establish a joint industrial and investment hub to attract foreign capital, promote technology transfer and strengthen industrial cooperation between the two countries.
The proposal was presented by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, during a bilateral meeting with Japan’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Suzuki Hideo, as both countries seek to translate 66 years of diplomatic relations into stronger economic ties.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu urged Japan to collaborate with Nigeria on a practical roadmap for the proposed Nigeria–Japan Industrial and Investment Hub, which is expected to facilitate joint ventures, connect investors with Nigerian businesses, promote skills development and integrate local enterprises into Japanese supply chains.
She stressed the need to translate existing bilateral agreements into concrete investments and measurable development outcomes.
“The outcomes of the Forum must be translated into concrete programmes, investment commitments and measurable development outcomes,” she said.
The minister called for the implementation of agreements reached at the 10th Nigeria–Japan Special Partnership Forum, held in Abuja on August 27, through practical programmes and regular consultations between the foreign ministries of both countries.
She also advocated stronger private-sector collaboration through joint ventures, local content development, skills transfer and partnerships between Nigerian and Japanese companies.
To facilitate investment, Odumegwu-Ojukwu sought greater engagement by the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) to connect Japanese investors with credible Nigerian businesses and public-sector institutions.
Beyond manufacturing and trade, she identified solid minerals, gas development, cleaner energy technologies and industrial decarbonisation as priority areas for Japanese investment, stressing the importance of resilient energy and critical-mineral supply chains.
The minister also acknowledged Japan’s development assistance in infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture, education and technical training through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
She welcomed a $10 million JICA-supported initiative aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s startup ecosystem through catalytic capital and institutional development, in partnership with the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority.
On regional security, Odumegwu-Ojukwu called for sustained Japanese support for peacebuilding, humanitarian assistance and stabilisation efforts in Nigeria and West Africa. She reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to regional stability through the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States.
The minister further urged continued dialogue to address visa-related challenges affecting businesspeople, students, researchers, government officials and tourists travelling between the two countries.
Responding, Suzuki reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation with Nigeria, which he described as a strategic African giant.
He also assured that visa-related issues would be handled expeditiously, a move expected to facilitate business engagements and people-to-people exchanges.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu said the cordial relations between both countries provided an opportunity to build a more dynamic partnership anchored on investment, industrialisation, technology transfer and shared prosperity.
The proposed industrial hub is expected to provide a platform for translating longstanding diplomatic relations into stronger commercial partnerships, increased investment and new economic opportunities for Nigerian businesses.
