Nigeria’s president, Muhammadu Buhari, announced that Portugal and Nigeria would sign at least ten agreements and memorandums of understanding in areas such as tourism, diplomatic training, sports, culture, and the digital economy.
The agreement is part of Buhari’s three-day visit to Portugal.
Buhari gave the indication at a joint press conference with Portuguese President, Marcela Rebelo de Sousa, according to a statement signed on Thursday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity.
The agreements, according to a statement titled “President Buhari: Nigeria-Portugal relations set for new levels, as countries prepare ten agreements, MoUs for signing,” were made to deepen ties between the two nations 46 years after the start of diplomatic relations.
After a private meeting with his Portuguese counterpart and a larger gathering of the delegations, Buhari told the media that despite the friendly ties already existing between the two nations, more cooperation was required.
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He disclosed that up to ten Memoranda of Understanding and agreements were being prepared for signing during his state visit to the European nation.
They include the Establishment of an Atlantic Research Centre; Air travel; Political Consultations; Diplomatic Training; Cultural Cooperation; Investment Promotion; Chambers of Commerce Cooperation; Women and Child Development; Youth and Sports Development and Digital Economy Cooperation.
According to him:
The world is at a crossroads. The decisions we take as leaders could make or break the world as we know it. We face existential challenges with climate change, food insecurity, conflict, health, and energy among others.
We look to Portugal as an influential country and partner to play an important role in helping to pull the world back from the brink.’
President Buhari thanked the Portuguese president for helping to secure financial support for Africa from the European Union and the International Monetary Union while he was the EU’s president.
Highlighting that 2022 marks the 46th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, the Nigerian leader said:
We are delighted that we can count Portugal as a valued and reliable friend and partner.
We share the same democratic values and look to increase and broaden cooperation in various fields at the bilateral and multilateral levels.
More than 80 representatives from Nigerian public and private sector businesses, agencies, and organizations will attend the Nigeria-Portugal Business and Investment Forum, he added.
