By Gloria Ikibah
Nigeria and Japan have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, with both countries pledging to expand political engagement, deepen economic cooperation and boost trade and investment.
The renewed commitment was made during a courtesy visit by the Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the Japanese Embassy, Shin Honda, to the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, in Abuja. 
The meeting reviewed the current state of Nigeria-Japan relations and explored ways to strengthen collaboration in areas including sustainable development, technology transfer and private sector investment.
Speaking during the meeting, Ambassador Enikanolaiye described Japan as one of Nigeria’s most valued development partners and praised the country’s remarkable progress in industrialisation and innovation.
The minister said Nigeria was keen to deepen economic relations with Japan by attracting greater investment into critical sectors of the economy.
He said: “Japan remains one of Nigeria’s valued development partners, and we commend the country’s achievements in industrialisation, technological innovation, manufacturing and heavy industries.
“Nigeria remains committed to deepening economic ties and attracting greater Japanese investment in key sectors of the economy. We also appreciate Japan’s longstanding support for Nigeria’s development priorities and reaffirm the Federal Government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for stronger bilateral cooperation.”
He added that closer engagement between the private sectors of both countries would play a key role in driving investment, technology transfer and economic growth.
“We welcome stronger collaboration between the private sectors of both countries to boost investment, technology transfer and economic growth”, he said.
In response, Honda reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to expanding its strategic partnership with Nigeria through increased political consultations, trade, investment and development cooperation.
“Japan remains committed to strengthening its strategic partnership with Nigeria through enhanced political consultations, increased trade and investment, and continued development cooperation”, he said.
He highlighted Japan’s ongoing support for Nigeria in infrastructure development, agriculture, healthcare, humanitarian assistance and peacebuilding, while noting the contribution of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) in promoting commercial relations between both countries.
Honda also briefed the minister on preparations for the Nigeria-Japan Special Policy Dialogue, scheduled to take place in Abuja at the end of August during the visit of Japan’s Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs.
He said the planned visit to Japan later this year by Nigerian business magnate Aliko Dangote would further strengthen private sector cooperation.
“The proposed visit of Nigerian business leader, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, to Japan later this year will further strengthen private sector collaboration between both countries”, he stated.
Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring the success of the forthcoming Nigeria-Japan Special Policy Dialogue and agreed to sustain regular consultations aimed at advancing mutually beneficial cooperation.
The meeting underscored the long-standing friendship between Nigeria and Japan, with both sides expressing optimism that stronger diplomatic and economic engagement would deliver lasting benefits for the two nations.
