Malaysia’s Excessive Commissioner to Nigeria, Aiyub bin Omar, has reiterated his nation’s dedication to strengthening diplomatic relations with Nigeria, notably in the areas of commerce and training, as they method 60 years of bilateral relations subsequent 12 months. He added that 3,386 Nigerian college students are pursuing greater training in Malaysian private and non-private establishments of studying.
Talking at an occasion commemorating Nigeria’s 67th Independence Day and Malaysia’s 61st Nationwide Day lately, Omar highlighted that the whole bilateral commerce between each international locations reached $747 million in July 2024.
“In essence, our bilateral relations focus on commerce, training, people-to-people contact and bilateral improvement help. Globally, Nigeria ranks as Malaysia’s thirty seventh buying and selling companion, with whole bilateral commerce peaking at $956 million in 2023. This 12 months, our bilateral commerce reached $747 million in July,” he divulged.
He additionally famous that Nigeria at the moment ranks as Malaysia’s fourth largest buying and selling companion in Africa, following South Africa, Kenya and Côte d’Ivoire.
Minister of International Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, who was represented by the director of the Asia-Pacific Division within the ministry, Mistura Abdulraheem, counseled the Malaysian individuals for his or her unity, resilience, and progress. Tuggar highlighted the collaboration between each international locations, which he stated has facilitated crucial exchanges in expertise switch, capability constructing and innovation.
“This partnership in expertise highlights the potential of our international locations working collectively to deal with the challenges of the twenty first century. By leveraging Malaysia’s developments in areas equivalent to ICT, digital innovation, sustainable improvement and oil markets, we’re creating alternatives for our individuals and economies,” he added.
He famous that Nigeria and Malaysia have a long-standing diplomatic relationship constructed on mutual respect, shared aspirations, and customary pursuits.
“Our two international locations have loved sturdy diplomatic ties for many years, constructed on a basis of cooperation in varied sectors, together with commerce, training, and expertise,” he stated.
The Malaysian Excessive Commissioner added that since 1981, 569 Nigerian authorities officers have benefited from the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP) in varied technical programs, together with commerce, economic system, development expertise and cybersecurity.
Moreover, he identified that Malaysia stays a most popular vacation spot for Nigerian college students pursuing tertiary training, judging by the variety of college students enrolled in Malaysian faculties.
In a associated improvement, the Nationwide Palm Produce Affiliation of Nigeria (NPPAN) introduced that the Federal Authorities is ready to signal a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Malaysian Authorities to advance the event of palm biomass in Nigeria. The main target of this initiative is to remodel waste into wealth by collaborating with Malaysian counterparts to duplicate the success of Malaysia’s palm biomass business in Nigeria.
NPPAN’s President, Alphosus Inyang, highlighted the potential financial impression of this improvement, projecting a contribution of at the very least, $10 billion to Nigeria’s Gross Home Product (GDP) inside 4 years and the era of over 5 million jobs in 5 years.
