23 Years After, Nigeria and Angola Resume Bilateral Talks
By Erewunmi Peace
Nigeria and Angola have returned to the negotiating table, holding the 5th session of their Bilateral Economic Joint Commission (BEJC) in Luanda — the first since 2001.
The meeting, which comes 23 years after the last session, marks a renewed commitment by both countries to strengthen economic and diplomatic ties.
Areas of Cooperation
During the session, the two nations are expected to sign about 15 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) covering key areas such as:
Economic and technical cooperation
Security and migration management
Youth and cultural exchange
Aviation and health collaboration
Prisoner transfer agreements
Establishment of a Nigeria–Angola Business Council
Official Remarks
Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, described the revival of the BEJC as an opportunity to “resuscitate moribund bilateral agreements and explore fresh avenues of cooperation.”
On the Angolan side, Secretary of State for International Cooperation, Domingos Vieira Lopes, emphasized that the talks would help strengthen relations and update legal frameworks to suit present realities.
The resumption of talks signals a renewed determination by both countries — two of Africa’s leading oil producers — to deepen cooperation not only in energy but also across sectors that impact trade, migration, security, and human capital development.
The Joint Commission is expected to conclude with concrete agreements aimed at boosting ties and creating a stronger foundation for Nigeria–Angola relations in the years ahead.
