By Chibuike Nwabuko
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – Nigeria and the Czech Republic are exploring broader cooperation in trade, investment, infrastructure, technology, security and education, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu, has said.
Ojukwu disclosed this in a post on her X handle on Saturday, following her meeting with the Czech Republic’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Petr Macinka, on the sidelines of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 81) in New York.
According to her, discussions with the Czech official focused on expanding economic and industrial cooperation between both countries, noting that Nigeria is the Czech Republic’s second-largest trading partner in Sub-Saharan Africa.
She said both sides also discussed strengthening security and defence partnerships, as well as pursuing a Joint Commission framework to coordinate cooperation across various sectors.
The minister explained that the proposed framework would cover capacity building, technical training, technology transfer and enhanced political dialogue through regular consultations between the foreign ministries of both countries.
Ojukwu said education was another key area discussed, particularly the facilitation of scholarships for Nigerian students and the expansion of opportunities for Nigerian researchers to undertake academic and research programmes in Czech institutions.
“Visa mobility was also a key issue, as well as climate action, mutual support arrangements for our candidatures in multilateral fora and United Nations reforms,” she added.
The minister said the engagements underscored Nigeria’s efforts to strengthen bilateral relations with the Czech Republic through increased economic cooperation, human-capital development, technology partnerships and diplomatic coordination.
She said the two countries would continue discussions aimed at deepening their bilateral relationship and creating opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation.
