Belarus, Nigeria to strengthen economic, educational ties
By Kunle Sanni
President Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus has expressed his country’s eagerness to enhance economic collaboration with Nigeria, focusing on key sectors such as agriculture, food processing, industry, and education.
In a recent meeting with Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, President Lukashenko emphasized the importance of bilateral relations, highlighting potential areas for cooperation.
“We know your needs and we know the possibilities that you have. Let me underline that these possibilities are important and significant for us. We can render significant assistance to you and you can reciprocate for us,” Lukashenko stated through an interpreter.
The President noted the potential for deeper collaboration in education, proposing the visit of Belarus’s Minister of Foreign Affairs to Nigeria to further these discussions.
Senator Tinubu, in response, thanked President Lukashenko for providing full scholarships to 20 Nigerian students through her Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI).
She highlighted RHI’s efforts to empower women, particularly through the Women in Agriculture program, aimed at enhancing food security and production in Nigeria.
She also assured that Nigeria is committed to pursuing these collaborative efforts with Belarus.
Earlier, Senator Tinubu met with Belarusian Minister of Education Andrey Ivanets, who noted that approximately 600 Nigerian students are currently studying in Belarus, excelling in various fields.
Ivanets expressed the Ministry’s interest in formalizing a bilateral educational agreement and establishing specialist training centers in Nigeria.
During her visit, Senator Tinubu also engaged with Speaker of the Belarusian Parliament, Natalya Kochanova, and members of the Women’s Union of Belarus, comprising women professionals from various sectors.
The discussions included exploring Belarus’s work experience programs and their potential implementation in Nigeria.
