Luanda, Angola | September 15, 2025 — Nigeria and Angola have strengthened their diplomatic and economic ties with the signing of landmark agreements on combating illicit drugs and advancing cultural exchange, following the 5th Session of the Nigeria-Angola Bilateral Economic Joint Commission (BEJC) in Luanda.
The four-day meeting, held from September 9 to 12, was the first session of the BEJC in 24 years, since its last convening in Abuja in 2001. The fresh commitments include collaboration to curb the production, manufacture, and trafficking of narcotics and psychotropic substances, as well as initiatives to promote cooperation in arts, music, and education.
Beyond these flagship agreements, both countries endorsed 15 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) spanning migration partnerships, manpower development, visa waivers for diplomatic passport holders, higher education, policing, youth empowerment, and defence cooperation. Notably, sister-state partnerships were formalised between Nigeria’s Bayelsa State and Angola’s Namibe Province, and between Nasarawa State and Bengo Province.
Nigeria’s delegation, led by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, highlighted that the renewed Joint Commission reflects Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Agenda and Angola’s pursuit of stronger regional collaboration.
Magnus Eze, Special Assistant on Communication and New Media to the minister, noted that the agreements reaffirm the two nations’ resolve to work together in addressing shared security, social, and developmental challenges.
The revival of the Joint Commission after more than two decades marks a significant step in repositioning Nigeria-Angola relations on a stronger and more structured foundation.
