Nigeria Reaffirms Commitment To Democracy In Africa, Pledges Support To Malawi Ahead Of Polls
Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has reaffirmed the country’s unwavering commitment to the promotion of democracy across the African continent.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by Malawi’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Nancy Gladys Tembo, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja, Odumegwu-Ojukwu highlighted democracy as a key pillar of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s foreign policy approach, known as the “4Ds”—Democracy, Development, Demography, and Diaspora.
She pledged Nigeria’s technical support for Malawi’s upcoming general elections slated for September, stating, “President Tinubu is committed to seeing democracy entrenched in African states, and Nigeria stands ready to support Malawi through this important democratic process.”
The Malawian Foreign Minister was in Abuja for the 32nd Afreximbank Annual Meeting and seized the opportunity to strengthen ties with Nigerian authorities.
She also announced Malawi’s plans to open an embassy in Abuja later this year a move warmly welcomed by Odumegwu-Ojukwu, who described it as “a new dawn” in bilateral relations.
The Nigerian minister expressed hope that this development would reactivate two dormant Memoranda of Understanding signed in 2012 during former President Goodluck Jonathan’s visit to Malawi.
She further encouraged Malawi to tap into Nigeria’s Technical Aids Corps programme, especially to bridge the gap in trained teachers and other technical manpower. “Countries like Namibia are already benefiting, and we’re ready to assist Malawi too,” she added.
Tembo, for her part, praised the positive role of Nigerian entrepreneurs in Malawi and called for increased investment, especially in the country’s burgeoning mining sector. “We invite Nigerian investors to explore our mineral wealth.
We have recently set up a mining regulatory agency to support this effort,” she said.
Special Assistant on Communication and New Media, Office of the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Magnus Eze,, said the visit ended on a high note, with both ministers expressing optimism about deeper cooperation and future diplomatic engagements.
