The Nigerian government has underscored the strategic nature of its relationship with Senegal, emphasizing a partnership rooted in shared historical experiences, adherence to democratic principles, and significant economic interdependence, okay.ng reports.
This affirmation followed the participation of Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima in Senegal’s 65th Independence Day Anniversary celebrations held in Dakar on Friday. Vice President Shettima represented President Bola Tinubu at the event, where he joined President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal and other dignitaries from across Africa and beyond.
Speaking in Dakar on the sidelines of the anniversary, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, highlighted the robust bilateral ties between the two nations.
She noted that both Nigeria and Senegal gained independence in 1960 and have since maintained a joint commitment to democratic governance and the promotion of regional security. Hon. Oluwole Oke, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs, was also part of the Nigerian delegation.
Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu stressed the importance of continued collaboration between Nigeria and Senegal in areas such as strengthening democracy, expanding trade relations, and enhancing security cooperation. She pointed out their shared dedication to deepening democratic values and constitutional governance across the African continent, as well as their joint efforts in combating terrorism and building strong regional institutions.
The Minister further revealed the significant role Senegal plays in Nigeria’s regional trade, stating that Senegal accounts for a substantial 68.7% of Nigeria’s exports within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) market. She described this statistic as a clear indication of a “mutually beneficial economic cooperation” between the two countries.
Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu also highlighted the sustained high-level diplomatic engagement between Nigeria and Senegal, recalling that President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal visited Nigeria the previous year to discuss potential areas for further collaboration and cooperation with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Senegalese Independence Day event was attended by numerous foreign dignitaries, including the Presidents of Guinea-Bissau, The Gambia, and Mauritania. In his national address, President Faye commended Senegal’s democratic maturity and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to a deep transformation of the country through reforms aimed at optimizing local finances, ensuring budgetary transparency, rationalizing public spending, and efficiently managing debt to secure fiscal sustainability.
