By Sharon Akuboh
Nigeria and the Republic of Liberia have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with renewed emphasis on trade, investment, youth empowerment and regional cooperation aimed at driving economic growth and sustainable development in West Africa.
The commitment was made on Wednesday in Abuja when Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, received Liberia’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Ethel Davis, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tafawa Balewa House.
Speaking during the meeting, Ambassador Enikanolaiye described the relationship between both countries as one built on a shared history, African solidarity and mutual respect. He recalled Nigeria’s pivotal role in Liberia’s peace process, noting that the long-standing friendship between the two nations has continued to flourish through sustained diplomatic engagement and cooperation.
According to him, the meeting provided an opportunity for both countries to review existing partnerships, explore new areas of collaboration and advance initiatives that would promote peace, security and economic prosperity for their citizens.
The Minister reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to supporting Liberia’s development through stronger political consultations, enhanced trade relations and increased private sector participation.
In her remarks, Liberia’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Ambassador Ethel Davis, expressed appreciation to the Nigerian Government for its unwavering support over the years, particularly in peacebuilding, security sector reforms, post-conflict reconstruction and the training of personnel of the Armed Forces of Liberia.
She called for deeper economic cooperation between both nations by encouraging greater participation of Nigerian businesses and investors in Liberia’s growing economy.
Ambassador Davis also announced plans for a Liberian Investment Summit to be held in Lagos, describing the initiative as a strategic platform to attract investment, strengthen commercial ties and expand business opportunities between the two countries.
She identified youth unemployment as one of Liberia’s major development challenges and stressed the need for stronger collaboration with Nigeria’s private sector to create employment opportunities and promote inclusive economic growth.
Responding, Ambassador Enikanolaiye assured the Liberian delegation of Nigeria’s readiness to encourage greater private sector investment in Liberia as part of broader efforts to accelerate regional economic integration.
He noted that Nigeria’s youthful population remains one of its greatest assets, highlighting the country’s growing achievements in financial technology, digital innovation and the creative industry as sectors with significant potential for bilateral cooperation.
The Minister also advocated stronger collaboration in youth exchange programmes, entrepreneurship development, innovation, culture and the creative economy, saying such initiatives would further strengthen people-to-people relations between both countries.
He expressed confidence that the forthcoming Liberian Investment Summit in Lagos would open new frontiers for business partnerships and attract investments capable of boosting economic development in both nations.
At the end of the meeting, Nigeria and Liberia reaffirmed their resolve to deepen bilateral relations through sustained political dialogue, expanded trade and investment, human capital development and closer collaboration within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and other regional and international organisations.
The renewed commitment underscores the determination of both countries to build on decades of friendship while exploring new opportunities for shared prosperity and regional stability.