Nigeria and Italy are poised to deepen bilateral relations, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu has said.
Despite the over six decades diplomatic ties with Italy, she noted that Nigeria did not have a bi-national commission with the country and called for one.
In a statement by the Special Assistant on Communication and New Media to the minister of State for Foreign Affairs Magnus Eze, the Minister stated this when the Italian Ambassador to Nigeria, Roberto Mengoni, paid her a courtesy visit in her officr on Monday.
The minister said Italy remains a strategic partner for Nigeria in Europe, with bilateral ties reinforced by high-level visits.
According to her, those engagements have continued to underscore the shared interests of both nations in sustainable development, food security, and economic cooperation.
She acknowledged and urged the sustenance of joint dedication to combating illegal migration, human trafficking, and transnational crime by both countries while inviting deeper Italian engagement in Nigeria’s economic reform agenda, particularly in sectors such as renewable energy, agribusiness, and infrastructure.
The minister also called for Italy’s technical support in Nigeria’s industrialisation efforts, highlighting the importance of ease of mobility as a catalyst for trade, investment, education, and cultural exchange between the two counties.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu emphasized that improving the efficiency of Visa issuance and processing will not only reduce delays and frustrations for applicants but also directly support economic cooperation and diplomatic engagement.
The minister further called for the establishment of efficient trade facilitation mechanisms that would enable Nigerian goods—especially agricultural and manufactured products—to reach the Italian market directly, reducing transit costs, improving supply chain efficiency, and enhancing market competitiveness.
She identified migration as a challenge and an opportunity in Nigeria-Italy relations, as both countries work to address irregular migration while facilitating legal pathways for movement.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu explained that the bilateral cooperation encompasses repatriation agreements, voluntary return programmes, and reintegration support for Nigerian nationals returning from Italy.
She noted the joint initiatives tackling human trafficking networks that operate between both countries, with particular focus on protecting vulnerable populations.
Earlier, Ambassador Mengoni said his country was looking forward to improving bilateral relations with Nigeria, based on their policy strategy for building stronger cooperation and businesses with Africa.
(Editor: Anoyoyo Ogiagboviogie)
