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• Existing relationship must go beyond crude oil, rice transactions, Shettima insists
Nigeria and Thailand are seeking to reposition their bilateral relationship around technology, agriculture, renewable energy and other strategic sectors, with Vice President Kashim Shettima calling for a comprehensive review of existing partnerships between the two countries.
Shettima made the call on Wednesday when he received Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister, Sihasak Phuangketkeow, who led a delegation to the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The Vice President, who spoke on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, said Nigeria’s relationship with Thailand must evolve beyond traditional areas of trade, particularly crude oil and rice, to reflect the enormous investment opportunities available in Africa’s largest economy.
“I believe that our relationship should go beyond transactions in crude oil, rice production and so on. So, there is a need for us to review our bilateral relationship at a strategic level,” Shettima said.
He identified agriculture, information and communication technology, renewable energy and solid minerals as sectors with significant potential for deeper cooperation, stressing that Nigeria’s large market, youthful population and abundant natural resources make it an attractive destination for Thai investors.
“Nigeria is a large market. There are enormous opportunities for partnership and investment in agriculture, ICT, renewable energy, and solid minerals, and we have a young population and workforce,” he said.
The Vice President urged Thailand to deepen its engagement with Nigeria, noting that the country’s strategic location, demographic advantage and resource base provide a strong platform for Thai businesses seeking to expand their presence in Africa.
The proposed reset of the relationship comes as Thailand pushes a broader engagement framework with Africa, with Phuangketkeow unveiling plans for a Thailand-Africa Initiative designed to strengthen economic, business and people-to-people relations.
Thai Deputy Prime Minister, who is making his first trip to Africa, described Nigeria as a strategic partner and an important gateway for Thailand’s engagement with the continent, particularly West Africa.
“For us in Thailand, we believe that Nigeria is a strategic partner bilaterally and an important window to strengthening ties with Africa, particularly West Africa,” he said.
Phuangketkeow also praised what he described as the ongoing transformation in Nigeria under the Tinubu administration, describing the country as a strong voice in the Global South and an emerging leader in e-commerce.
He said the Thailand-Africa Initiative would place particular emphasis on economic cooperation, especially agriculture, while opening opportunities for collaboration in areas where Thailand has developed expertise, including universal health coverage and tourism.
The initiative, he explained, is expected to strengthen not only government-to-government relations but also commercial links and people-to-people exchanges between Thailand and key African countries.
The meeting was attended by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dunoma Umar Ahmed; Thailand’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Thirapath Mongkolnavin; and other senior officials from the foreign affairs ministries of both countries.
