Nigeria, Angola Revive Ties With Drug Control and Cultural Exchange Pacts
Nigeria and Angola have signed fresh agreements to deepen cooperation in drug control, culture, and economic development, marking a major step in strengthening relations between the two nations.
The deals were sealed during the 5th Session of the Nigeria-Angola Bilateral Economic Joint Commission, held in Luanda from September 9–12, after a 24-year hiatus.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, who led Nigeria’s delegation, signed on behalf of the Federal Government, while Angola’s Secretary of State for International Cooperation, Ambassador Domingos Lopes, signed for his country.
Key highlights included an agreement on tackling illicit drug trafficking and another on cultural cooperation. Nigeria also brokered sister-city partnerships between Bayelsa State and Angola’s Namibe Province, as well as between Nasarawa State and Bengo Province.
Speaking after the session, Odumegwu-Ojukwu said the revived joint commission provides “a good framework to strengthen and broaden bilateral relations” in areas such as economic diversification, energy, technical manpower transfer, trade, and creative industries.
She hinted at forthcoming arrangements on visa waivers, defence collaboration, double taxation, agriculture pilot projects, and marine tourism, including an international boat cruise between both nations’ coasts.
Both sides praised the renewed ties, with Odumegwu-Ojukwu affirming that Nigeria will “deploy the necessary political will” to implement the outcomes in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
