Qatar, Nigeria set sights on multi-field economic ties

Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s visit to Qatar reflects a common desire to bolster bilateral relations and elevate them to new levels.
The Qatar-Nigeria relations have remarkably developed since the opening of their embassies in 2013, a solid step that paved the way for building bridges of communication and co-operation. Since then, the two parties have demonstrated strength and determination to consolidate their relations by making many mutual visits.
In February 2016, Nigeria’s former president Muhammadu Buhari paid a visit to Doha that witnessed the signing of several agreements, while His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani visited Nigeria in April 2019, within the framework of the natural development of the growing bilateral relations.
The relations were further elevated in March 2022, with the two sides holding the Qatar-Nigeria Economic Forum in Nigeria’s economic capital of Lagos — an event that discussed areas of economic co-operation.
The event reflected the firm desire of both countries’ wise leaderships to deepen bilateral relations and offered an opportunity for both parties to unleash future partnerships between leading private sector institutions in both countries, and to establish stronger bilateral economic co-operation.
In 2023, the former Nigerian president participated in the Fifth UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC5), held under the theme “From Potential to Prosperity,” and inaugurated by His Highness the Amir.
Qatar’s robust relations with Nigeria is part of its massive connection with Africa, given Doha’s huge support for African nations, whether bilaterally through Qatari agencies or multilaterally via strategic partnerships with the UN and other relevant international organisations. Spanning across an array of areas including development, humanitarian aid, education and health as well as offering job opportunities, this assistance is based on the Qatar National Vision 2030, which clearly attaches great importance to solidarity with countries, peoples and communities hit by humanitarian crises, conflicts and poverty.
Situated in West Africa on an area of 923,769sq km, Nigeria borders Niger in the north, Chad and Cameroon in the east, Benin in the west and the Atlantic Ocean in the south. Home to roughly 224mn people, Nigeria is Africa’s most populated country, largest economy and top oil-producer.
President Tinubu, 72, assumed office in May 2023.
• Qatar’s ambassador to Nigeria Dr Ali bin Ghanem al-Hajri said that the official visit of President Tinubu to Qatar is an important milestone that supports the future of the bilateral relations and their development in various fields.
In a statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA), the ambassador said that the visit constitutes a significant and important step in the history of the Qatar-Nigeria relations, as it marks his first visit to Doha since assuming power in May 2023. The visit embodies the continuation of the co-operative and friendly relations established by the two countries for more than a decade, he added.
He stressed the importance of the visit in consolidating the existing bilateral relations and opening future horizons for co-operation in various fields, noting the remarkable development of the relations between the two countries, which were established in 2013.
The relations between Qatar and Nigeria have seen a remarkable development since their establishment, and were characterised by friendliness, co-operation and co-ordination on many international and regional issues in the economic and political fields, the ambassador said.
The two countries signed a number of agreements and memorandums of understanding during the visit spanning economy, investment, trade, tourism, law, culture, employment, education and higher education, and other vital areas of common benefit to both countries.
Ambassador al-Hajri referred to the political, economic, and demographic weight of Nigeria in the African continent, noting that it is one of the most important countries that enjoys regional and international influence in the continent, as evidenced by its active membership and decision-making role in the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas), headquartered in the capital, Abuja.
Meanwhile, the charge d’affaires of the Nigerian embassy in Doha Rabiu Suleiman stressed the significance of President Tinubu’s official visit to Qatar in enhancing bilateral ties and expanding co-operation across various sectors.
In a statement to QNA, he said that President Tinubu’s visit is highly significant and historic, and affirms the president’s keenness to enhance and develop bilateral relations with Qatar.
The charge d’affaires underlined that the relations between Nigeria and Qatar have been cordial since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 2013.
During the visit, the Nigerian president held a session of talks with His Highness the Amir. The visit witnessed the signing of memorandums of understanding (MoUs) and agreements, along with the organisation of the Qatar-Nigeria Business and Investment Forum.
The agreements and MoUs cover several areas, including labour, trade, investment, youth and sports, double taxation avoidance, avoidance of double taxation and prevention of fiscal evasion, maritime and aviation transport, and other agreements aimed at enhancing co-operation in vital areas for both countries.
Charge d’affaires Suleiman stressed that these agreements and MoUs have the potential to positively strengthen the relationship between Nigeria and Qatar, with technical experts from both sides are currently engaged in strategic bilateral meetings to achieve tangible results for the betterment of both countries.
He also highlighted the importance of mutual visits between the two countries’ leaderships in strengthening relations and fostering joint co-operation, noting that President Tinubu’s current visit no doubt would promote relations between the two nations and advance areas of mutual interest and co-operation.
He commended Qatar’s strategic roles in regional and world peace, noting that Nigeria and Qatar have also supported each other in various multilateral engagements, and these remarkable achievements are testimonies of the cordial relations between both countries.