Nigeria has deepened its development cooperation with Norway following high-level bilateral talks held on the sidelines of the 2025 United Nations meetings in New York. Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Finance, led the country’s delegation in a strategic meeting with Ms. Stine Renate Håheim, Norway’s Deputy Minister of International Development.
The meeting focused on strengthening ties in areas critical to Nigeria’s economic reform agenda, including tax transparency, climate finance, and debt sustainability. Dr. Uzoka-Anite reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to the international tax transparency movement and urged for greater collaboration with Norway to build capacity in tax administration, close revenue leakages, and foster fiscal discipline in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Discussions also highlighted Nigeria’s growing interest in leveraging Norway’s development experience, particularly under the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation’s (NORAD) “Energy for Development” platform. The initiative aligns with Nigeria’s clean energy transition goals and presents a viable framework for green finance investments that support resilience against climate change.
Dr. Uzoka-Anite described the meeting as a “timely and strategic engagement,” stressing that Nigeria welcomes deeper partnerships that are rooted in mutual respect and geared toward achieving tangible development outcomes. “We are open to innovative collaborations that will drive inclusive growth, fiscal reforms, and environmental sustainability,” she said.
Ms. Håheim, on her part, commended Nigeria’s bold economic reforms and affirmed Norway’s readiness to support the country in achieving its development objectives. She noted that Nigeria remains a critical partner in Africa and that Norway looks forward to scaling up technical assistance and financial cooperation in key sectors.
This renewed partnership, observers say, is part of Nigeria’s broader diplomatic outreach to align global development resources with national priorities. With Nigeria seeking strategic allies in tackling climate risks, expanding renewable energy, and reforming public finance, engagements such as this signal a forward-looking diplomatic posture that blends global goodwill with domestic progress.
