Nigeria and Italy are set to deepen bilateral cooperation with a focus on agribusiness, youth employment, and sustainable development, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has said. 

Speaking during a courtesy visit by the Italian Ambassador to Nigeria, Roberto Mengoni, the minister highlighted the strategic importance of Italy as a partner in addressing food security, climate change, and economic growth.

Despite more than six decades of diplomatic relations, Nigeria has not yet established a bi-national commission with Italy. 

Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu called for the creation of such a framework to strengthen ongoing collaborations, particularly in sectors critical to sustainable development, including agribusiness, renewable energy, and infrastructure. 

She noted that high-level visits and consultations have consistently reinforced the shared priorities of both nations.

The minister acknowledged irregular migration and human trafficking as both challenges and opportunities for collaboration. 

Joint initiatives aim to provide vocational training, small business development, and reintegration support for Nigerian nationals returning from Italy. Youth-focused projects are expected to create jobs, reduce restiveness, and equip young Nigerians with skills for climate-smart agriculture and sustainable livelihoods.

Improving visa processing and establishing efficient trade facilitation mechanisms are key to enhancing the flow of Nigerian agricultural and manufactured goods to the Italian market. 

Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu emphasised that smoother mobility and reduced transit costs would strengthen trade, attract investment, and improve market competitiveness.

Ambassador Mengoni reaffirmed Italy’s commitment to leveraging Nigeria’s strategic position in Africa to expand business partnerships. 

Both countries are prioritising collaboration in counter-terrorism, migration management, and economic reforms while supporting youth engagement, technology adoption, and climate-smart initiatives in agriculture.

Stakeholders see the Nigeria-Italy partnership as a platform to create sustainable jobs, promote innovative agribusiness, and foster climate-resilient agricultural practices that can transform rural economies and empower the youth.

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs