Nigeria and Angola have signed two landmark agreements to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the fight against illicit drugs and in cultural exchange, at the 5th Session of the Nigeria–Angola Bilateral Economic Joint Commission, held in Luanda from September 9–12, 2025.
The Joint Commission, revived after 24 years, also produced economic and cultural twinning agreements between Bayelsa State and Angola’s Namibe Province, as well as between Nasarawa State and Bengo Province.
Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, led the Nigerian delegation and signed on behalf of the Federal Government, while Angola’s Secretary of State for International Cooperation, Amb. Domingos Lopes, signed for his country. Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri and Namibe Governor Archer Mangueira sealed the sister-cities agreement.
A statement by Dr. Magnus Eze, Special Assistant on Communication and New Media to the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, stated that Odumegwu-Ojukwu noted the significance of the joint commission while recalling the historic bonds between Nigeria and Angola, dating back to 1975 when Angola became independent.
Amb. Odumegwu-Ojukwu noted that the agreements would stimulate economic growth, create jobs, deepen cultural cooperation and help tackle poverty.
“Our meeting was not only to reflect on the state of our relations but to identify new areas of cooperation. The agreements we have signed signal our collective resolve to boost political, cultural, social, educational and scientific cooperation while making contributions to fight poverty and underdevelopment in both nations,” she said.
The Minister revealed that 28 Memoranda of Understanding were deliberated upon by sub-committees, covering areas such as visa waivers, customs simplification, cargo lanes, economic diversification, oil and gas partnerships, LNG trading, ports and transport upgrades, and warehousing.
She further disclosed that negotiations also touched on double taxation avoidance, agricultural mechanization pilot projects in banana, cassava, rice and poultry, as well as manpower transfer under Nigeria’s Technical Aid Programme. Plans were also unveiled to strengthen financial cooperation through a Naira/Kwanza settlement corridor and to enhance private sector participation via a Nigeria–Angola Business Council.
On cultural cooperation, Nigeria and Angola signed an agreement promoting creative industries including film, music, festivals and joint productions, with proposals for marine tourism and a Nigeria–Angola boat cruise during the festive season.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu affirmed that the outcomes align with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, stressing Nigeria’s commitment to implementing the agreements.
Other MoUs between both nations are expected to be signed in the coming months.