The Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, engaged in discussions with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, on matters of mutual interest and regional stability in Moscow on Wednesday.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Tuggar said his meeting with Lavrov further strengthened the bilateral relations between Russia and Nigeria, especially in the areas of economic growth and regional stability.
“Nigeria-Russia relations have a long history, characterized by cooperation in various fields including diplomacy, trade, and security. Over the years, our countries have worked together on issues of mutual interest, fostering strong bilateral ties,” he stated.
“My meeting with Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, further strengthens these relations, particularly in the areas of economic growth and regional stability.
“Our discussions focused on enhancing cooperation to drive economic development in Nigeria and ensure stability in West Africa and the Sahel region.”
Tuggar also said the lifting of sanctions on Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger by Russia underscored its commitment to supporting regional security efforts, including those led by West African bloc, ECOWAS.
“Nigeria’s critical role in ensuring stability in the sub-region was also acknowledged, with calls for increased support from Russia to address security challenges.
“These discussions align with the broader goals of #NigeriaRussia bilateral ties, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in addressing shared challenges and promoting mutual development.
“They lay the groundwork for future engagements and potential visits, including one by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Moscow, demonstrating the commitment of both countries to deepening their relationship,” the Nigerian minister stated.