‘We’ll resolve all grey areas’ – Shettima says Nigeria will strengthen trade relations with Japan

The federal government says it will deepen ties with Japan to strengthen trade and explore more opportunities in food security, healthcare, and infrastructural development.

Vice-President Kashim Shettima spoke on Wednesday when a Japanese delegation visited him at the presidential villa, Abuja.

The delegation was led by Matsunaga Kazuyoshi, Japan’s outgoing ambassador to Nigeria and Tanaka Akihiko, president of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Shettima assured the Japanese government of enhanced cooperation with the Nigerian government as well as resolving any outstanding issues that may affect bilateral relations between the two nations.

“All the grey areas will be addressed. Luckily, the CBN governor is here, and two of the major beneficiary ministries are represented at the highest level,” he said.

“Be rest assured that in a couple of days, we are going to resolve all the grey areas and put our relationship on a new pedestal.”

Shettima commended Kazuyoshi for his exemplary role in fostering relations between Nigeria and Japan.

‘YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS SPAN ACROSS CRITICAL SECTORS OF OUR ECONOMY’

He expressed gratitude to JICA for its commitment towards strengthening ties between the two nations through its contributions to development across critical sectors of the economy.

The vice-president thanked the agency’s president for his recent ¥1.75 billion grant to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to bolster its diagnostic capacity.

“Your excellency, we are immensely grateful for JICA’s continuous commitment; words cannot adequately convey our depth of gratitude,” he said.

“Under the exemplary leadership of Tanaka Akihiko, JICA has played a very vital role in strengthening the ties between our two nations.

“Your contributions span across critical sectors of our economy and society, aligning seamlessly with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“I am glad you visited the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on Tuesday where, again, you have given a grant of ¥1.75 billion for the strengthening of diagnostic capacity of the NCDC.”

Shettima also lauded JICA’s efforts in polio eradication and their ongoing collaboration with the Nigerian government to enhance healthcare services.

In his remarks, Akihiko expressed his condolences to Nigeria for the recent flood disasters, particularly in Maiduguri.

He also expressed gratitude to Nigeria for its longstanding cooperation with JICA on various development projects.

The JICA president commended the ingenuity of Nigerian engineers and entrepreneurs at the Nigeria Information Technology Centre, highlighting the importance of their collaboration.

Also speaking, Kazuyoshi disclosed that the Japanese government will hold an international conference on African development in Tokyo next year.

He reaffirmed Japan’s dedication to strengthening the bilateral relationship between both countries.