Ireland pledges continued support for Nigeria, ECOWAS on regional security

Ireland has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in addressing security challenges across the West African region.

This commitment was emphasized by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, following a meeting with his Irish counterpart, Simon Harris, Ireland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Tuggar, in a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, outlined key areas of discussion, including bilateral cooperation in trade, education, and diplomacy.

He highlighted Ireland’s growing diplomatic presence in Nigeria, marked by the construction of a new chancery in Abuja, signaling a long-term engagement between both nations.

“I welcomed Ireland’s commitment to deepening its presence in Nigeria with the construction of a new chancery in Abuja, reflecting its long-term engagement in the country,” Tuggar stated.

Education remains a strong pillar of collaboration between Nigeria and Ireland, given their historical ties through student exchange programs and the contributions of Irish educators and missionaries in Nigeria.

“Education remains a significant area of collaboration, given the strong ties through student exchanges and the longstanding contributions of Irish educators and missionaries in Nigeria,” Tuggar noted.

Discussions also focused on expanding educational partnerships, particularly in higher education and vocational training, to enhance skills development and knowledge exchange between both countries.

Security cooperation was a key agenda item, with Ireland reaffirming its support for Nigeria and ECOWAS in tackling terrorism, insurgency, and transnational crime.

The meeting also touched on global diplomatic issues, including the upcoming United Nations vote on the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Tuggar reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to the principles of territorial integrity and national sovereignty in international affairs.

Nigeria and Ireland share deep-rooted historical and diplomatic relations dating back to Nigeria’s independence in 1960. Ireland’s then-Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Seán Lemass attended Nigeria’s Independence Day celebrations, and the following year, Ireland opened its first African embassy in Lagos.

In recent years, Ireland has continued to strengthen its engagement with Nigeria. In 2023, the Ambassador of Ireland to Nigeria, Peter Ryan, reaffirmed Ireland’s commitment to fostering bilateral relations through strategic partnerships across multiple sectors.

The construction of Ireland’s new chancery in Abuja is expected to further bolster diplomatic and trade ties, underscoring Ireland’s long-term commitment to Nigeria and the wider West African region.