Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, has assured Japan of enhanced cooperation and resolution of outstanding issues between the two nations.
This commitment was made during a meeting with Japan’s outgoing Ambassador, Matsunaga Kazuyoshi, and President of Japan International Cooperation Agency, Tanaka Akihiko, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The Vice President praised JICA’s contributions to Nigeria’s development, particularly in food security, health, and infrastructure. He acknowledged JICA’s significant donations, including a ¥1.75 billion grant to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control to enhance diagnostic capacity.
Nigeria and Japan are exploring areas of cooperation, including food security, infrastructural development, and health.
JICA has been instrumental in supporting Nigeria’s development, notably in polio eradication, which helped the country achieve polio-free status in 2020.
Japan’s government plans to host an International Conference on African Development in Tokyo next year, aiming to strengthen bilateral relations with Nigeria. The conference is expected to foster greater cooperation between Japan and African nations.
Notable figures attended the meeting, including the Minister of Agriculture, Senator Abubakar Kyari; Minister of Water Resources, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev; CBN Governor, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso; and Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hadejia.
The strengthened bilateral ties between Nigeria and Japan are expected to yield significant benefits for both nations, particularly in areas of economic development and cooperation.
“Your Excellency, we are immensely grateful for JICA’s continuous commitment; words cannot adequately convey our depth of gratitude. Under the exemplary leadership of Dr Tanaka Akihiko, JICA has played a very vital role in strengthening the ties between our two nations.
“Your contributions span across critical sectors of our economy and society, aligning seamlessly with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I am glad you visited the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) yesterday where, again, you have given a grant of ¥1.75 billion for the strengthening of diagnostic capacity of the NCDC,” the Vice President said.
Shettima also acknowledged JICA’s assistance in polio eradication, which he said helped Nigeria to achieve polio-free status in 2020.
“We share in your vision of making Nigeria a hub for disease control in West Africa and, by extension, you can make it a hub for the whole of Africa because one in every four black men is a Nigerian. So, we implore you to further enhance the cooperation between our two nations. You are a silent giant. You don’t make too much noise,” he added.
