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BANGLADESH SEEKS TO STRENGTHEN ECONOMIC TIES WITH NIGERIA

The High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Nigeria, Masudur Rahman, has expressed his country’s desire to strengthen economic relations with Nigeria, emphasizing the potential for trade, investment, and educational cooperation between the two nations. Speaking while receiving a delegation from the Diplomatic Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DICAN) in Abuja, Rahman highlighted Bangladesh’s industrial strength and its capacity to supply high-quality goods, particularly in the textile and garment sectors. “We produce everything in industry—garments, textiles, apparels, fashion products, including knitwear and woven wear, as well as winter clothes,” Rahman stated. “We are world leaders in denim, including jeans and gabardine pants, which are in high demand globally.” Rahman encouraged Nigerian businesses to explore investment opportunities in the textile and footwear industries, noting that “trade is increasing, some governors and former politicians-turned-businessmen are visiting Bangladesh to engage in trade partnerships.” The High Commissioner also underscored the potential for educational partnerships, revealing that Bangladesh is considering offering scholarships to Nigerian students as part of its broader engagement with Africa. “We are thinking of offering scholarships to Nigerian students. We already provide scholarships to African students from countries like Gambia,” he said. Rahman emphasized the importance of people-to-people connections in fostering stronger diplomatic relations. “We value deployments because they enhance cultural exchange and lifestyle understanding,” he said. “We offer fully funded scholarships to African students, including a generous allowance.” The growing bilateral ties between Bangladesh and Nigeria were also highlighted, with Rahman revealing that two Nigerian diplomats are currently attending a one-year Foreign Service Course in Bangladesh, fully sponsored by the Bangladeshi government. Chairman of DICAN, Fredrick Idehai, solicited the High Commission’s cooperation and support for the upcoming DICAN International Security Conference, scheduled for June 19, 2025. In response, Rahman assured DICAN of Bangladesh’s willingness to collaborate on the event and strengthen overall diplomatic relations between both countries.

NIGERIA PARTNERS UK BIO-TECH FIRM TO COMBAT DESERTIFICATION

Nigeria is set to partner with the United Kingdom’s Zander Corporation to transform agricultural practices and restore degraded lands in the country’s most vulnerable ecological zones. Vice President Kashim Shettima welcomed the partnership, stating that the federal government remains committed to afforestation as a key strategy in combating desertification, promoting sustainable land use, and ensuring long-term agricultural productivity. The Vice President stated this on Thursday during a meeting with the management of the bio-technology company led by Lord Raymond Benedict Asquith, the 3rd Earl of Oxford, and Asquith OBE, a member of the UK House of Lords at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. “There is a critical intersection between innovative technology and efforts at combating desertification and agricultural transformation in this country. As a nation committed to afforestation and sustainable land use, we recognise the value of partnerships that introduce cutting-edge technologies like those from Zander Corporation,” VP Shettima stated. As part of the collaboration, Zander Corporation has donated £250,000 worth of afforestation technology products to Nigeria. Shettima noted the need to maximise the potential of the five-hectare pilot project, suggesting diversification into vegetable production and tree crops such as cashew, which has a high global demand. “We are in a unique position to take advantage of this opportunity. I want to assure you and your team of the federal government’s support. Sokoto State has already demonstrated commitment, and I believe that Borno and Katsina governments will also embrace this initiative,” Shettima said. Shettima acknowledged Lord Oxford’s commitment to training Nigerian agronomists in best practices for implementing the technology, adding that “there is an incestuous relationship between ecology and economy in the northern part of this country. This innovative technology by Zander Corporation can be our saving grace.” Lord Oxford reaffirmed Zander Corporation’s dedication to Nigeria’s agricultural transformation, explaining that the company has been in the country for over 12 years. “We have made a donation of our products to Nigeria for deployment in several northern states to demonstrate our capabilities and the remarkable results that can be achieved in agricultural and environmental projects,” he said. Lord Oxford stated that the corporation had recorded successes in desert states such as Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Libya, and Southern Spain, where its technology has significantly reduced irrigation costs and established sustainable vegetation in arid soils. “We see Nigeria as a prime location for our work. The country is ready for the kind of results we have delivered elsewhere. Our operations in the Middle East and North Africa have proven effective in reducing irrigation costs and enhancing agricultural sustainability. We also see opportunities for manufacturing our products in Nigeria, reducing costs, and creating employment. Nigeria’s vast land resources make it an ideal location for this kind of investment. We are excited about the potential of this partnership to transform the landscape and the economy.” Also speaking, Director-General of the National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW), Saleh Abubakar, confirmed the agency’s commitment to implementing Zander Corporation’s technology. “We have established a committee to oversee the implementation of these products, which have proven highly effective in building resilience during the pilot programme. We are piloting this project in Katsina, Borno, and Sokoto states, with five hectares of land already prepared for deployment. We are committed to ensuring that the initiative directly benefits the communities affected by desertification,” he said.

UK-NIGERIA PARTNERSHIP LAUNCHES CREATIVE INDUSTRIES TECHNICAL WORKING GROUP

In a significant move to foster innovation and collaboration, the UK and Nigeria have officially launched the Creative Industries Technical Working Group. This initiative marks a major milestone in the UK-Nigeria Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP), aiming to deepen bilateral ties and create a robust framework for growth within the creative sectors of both nations. The launch event, held in London, brought together UK-Nigeria creatives industries leaders for a match-making event, providing a dynamic platform to explore new opportunities and form commercial alliances within key creative subsectors such as Film and TV, Music, Fashion & Design, Architecture, Advertising, and Gaming. According to Florence Eshalomi MP, the UK’s Trade Envoy to Nigeria and Co-Chair of the UK-NG Creatives Technical Working Group, the initiative prioritizes collaboration and cultural exchange, poised to foster long-term growth, enhance job creation, and unlock new pathways for creativity and innovation in both countries. A Terms of Reference and joint workplan for 2025 were also agreed upon to guide the Group’s focus and efforts. This development is expected to boost innovation, cross-border creative collaborations, and drive sustainable economic growth and development in both nations.