The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dunoma Umar Ahmed, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with the Kingdom of Sweden following a high-level meeting with Diana Janse in Abuja.
The meeting, held on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, provided a platform for both countries to review existing partnerships and explore new areas of collaboration, particularly in trade, investment, and regional security.
Speaking during the engagement, Janse expressed Sweden’s readiness to deepen its partnership with Nigeria, noting the country’s strategic importance within the European Union framework. She also highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen EU–Nigeria relations through recent high-level engagements and the Nigeria–EU Ministerial Dialogue.
In his response, Ahmed acknowledged the contributions of Swedish firms to Nigeria’s economic development, commending Sweden’s sustained engagement through institutional partnerships and diplomatic exchanges.
Both sides emphasized the need to expand economic cooperation across critical sectors, including renewable energy, healthcare, manufacturing, agriculture, and digital technology. Ahmed also underscored the role of the Swedish Trade Office in Lagos in fostering business connections and encouraged greater participation of Swedish investors in Nigeria’s growing economy.
The discussions further spotlighted the impact of major Swedish companies such as Ericsson and Scania, particularly an ongoing initiative to introduce biogas-powered buses in Lagos State—an effort seen as a boost to sustainable development and green innovation.
On cultural relations, both countries reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening collaboration within the creative industry. The Swedish Government also reiterated its commitment to the repatriation of Benin artefacts, describing the move as a vital step toward building trust and deepening bilateral ties.
