The Federal Government of Nigeria deepened diplomatic ties with the State of Palestine and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through high-level engagements in Abuja.
Diplomatic Meeting with Palestine
Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar received the Ambassador of the State of Palestine to Nigeria, Muhannad Halmouri, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The meeting occurred as part of ongoing diplomatic efforts. Tuggar and Halmouri discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations between Nigeria and Palestine.
They also reviewed consular services, humanitarian issues, and regional matters of mutual concern. A statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the engagement aimed to expand cooperation and address shared priorities.
Engagements with Saudi Arabia
Separately, Nigeria advanced relations with Saudi Arabia across multiple sectors. The Minister of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia led a delegation to Abuja for discussions on pilgrimage matters.
Officials from both countries reaffirmed their commitment to improve Hajj and Umrah administration. They focused on protecting Nigerian pilgrims and resolving issues such as visa access and overstaying concerns.
In addition, earlier agreements bolstered defense and economic links. Nigeria and Saudi Arabia signed a five-year defense partnership memorandum in late 2025.
Minister of State for Defence Bello Mohammed Matawalle and Saudi Assistant Minister of Defence Khaled Al-Biyari formalized the deal. The pact covered military training, intelligence sharing, joint exercises, and capacity building.
Broader Context and Implications
These diplomatic moves reflected Nigeria’s active foreign policy under the current administration. The engagements with Palestine aligned with Nigeria’s longstanding support for a two state solution in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Nigeria endorsed related international declarations in 2025. Meanwhile, ties with Saudi Arabia emphasized practical cooperation in faith-based travel, security, and economic opportunities.
The recent meetings highlighted Nigeria’s efforts to maintain strong relations with key partners in the Middle East and the Muslim world. Officials described the interactions as constructive steps toward mutual benefit and regional stability.
