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Nigeria-North Korea Move to Revitalise Ties as Envoy Pushes for Deeper Diplomatic Cooperation
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By Gloria Ikibah
Nigeria and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations as both countries seek to expand cooperation in diplomacy, culture and international affairs.
The renewed commitment was made during a courtesy visit by the Ambassador-designate of the DPRK to Nigeria, Mr Jo Yong Sam, to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dunoma Umar Ahmed, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.
In his welcome address, Ambassador Dunoma congratulated the envoy on his appointment and assured him of the Ministry’s full support in the discharge of his diplomatic responsibilities.
He expressed optimism that the cordial relationship between Nigeria and the DPRK, which dates back to 1976, would continue to flourish.
The Permanent Secretary acknowledged the DPRK’s consistent backing of Nigeria’s candidatures in international organisations and reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to peaceful dialogue aimed at promoting lasting peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.
He also proposed the early revival of cultural exchanges, particularly in film and the creative industry, alongside plans to convene the Fifth Session of the Nigeria–DPRK Joint Commission in Pyongyang on a mutually agreed date.
Ambassador Dunoma further advocated stronger reciprocal cooperation, including the allocation of land for the construction of a permanent Nigerian Embassy in Pyongyang and increased employment opportunities for Nigerians at the DPRK Embassy in Abuja.
He said, “The cordial relations between both countries, established in 1976, would continue to grow from strength to strength.”
In his remarks, Ambassador-designate Jo Yong Sam commended Nigeria’s leadership role on the African continent and its increasing influence in global affairs.
He also praised the country’s economic reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and reaffirmed his government’s commitment to strengthening relations as both countries prepare to mark 50 years of diplomatic ties.
The envoy further reiterated the DPRK’s support for Nigeria’s aspirations in international organisations, including its bid for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
He identified visa facilitation as an important area requiring attention to encourage greater official exchanges and stronger people-to-people relations between both countries.
Ambassador Jo also proposed the institutionalisation of congratulatory messages between the leaders of Nigeria and the DPRK during national celebrations and other important occasions as a reflection of the enduring friendship between both nations.
He said, “The DPRK remains committed to strengthening bilateral relations as both countries commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.”
Responding, Ambassador Dunoma assured the Ambassador-designate that all issues raised during the meeting, including visa facilitation and the exchange of official messages between the leadership of both countries, would receive due consideration through the appropriate government channels.
Both sides restated their shared resolve to deepen bilateral cooperation and expand engagement in areas of mutual interest for the benefit of Nigeria and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
The twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela last month killed over 5,000 people, National Assembly chief Jorge Rodriguez posted on Telegram Friday.
The 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude quakes struck within a minute of each other on 24 June, decimating the coastal state of La Guaira located north of Caracas.
The disasters killed 5,069 people, Rodriguez said, with most casualties occurring in the coastal region.
The number of people injured remains unchanged at 16,740, with the parliamentary leader earlier stating that most had already been discharged from hospital.
Some 20,000 people made homeless by the quakes are living in overcrowded camps, many of which lack water supplies and proper sanitation systems.
The federal high court in Kano has barred the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) from operating on state and local government roads.
The court also declared the corps’ operations on township roads within Kano metropolis unlawful, holding that they violated the fundamental rights of citizens.
In a judgment delivered on Thursday, M.S. Shuaibu, the presiding judge, ruled in favour of Abba Hikima, a Kano-based lawyer who sued the FRSC over its activities in July 2025.
According tọ media reports,the judge held that FRSC officers acted outside their statutory powers by stopping, questioning and delaying motorists on township roads.
He added that the actions breached the constitutional rights to personal liberty and freedom of movement guaranteed under sections 35 and 41 of the 1999 Constitution.
The judge granted all the reliefs sought by Hikima, including a perpetual injunction restraining FRSC personnel from stopping or harassing motorists on Kano state roads without lawful authority.
He also ordered the corps to publish a public apology in a national newspaper and awarded the applicant N800,000 in damages and costs.
The suit followed an incident in July 2025 when FRSC operatives mounted checkpoints on township roads in Kano and stopped motorists, including Hikima, demanding driver’s licences and questioning them despite the absence of any primary traffic offence.
Hikima subsequently approached the federal high court, noting that the corps had unlawfully violated his fundamental rights.
He said that the FRSC’s statutory mandate covers only federal highways and does not extend to state or local government roads.
The Isoun family announced the death of former minister Turner Isoun, who passed away in Abuja on Wednesday, July 15, 2026
Isoun served as Minister of Science and Technology under ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo and championed Nigeria’s space and ICT revolution.
According to Premium Times, the Isoun spokesperson, Diseye Timinipre Isoun, confirmed the passing of the family patriarch in a statement, noting that the elder statesman was based in Odi, Bayelsa State.
In his reaction, Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State described the late Professor as “an academic colossus whose contributions to scholarship and national development are outstanding and immeasurable.”
He stated that Prof. Isoun’s demise was a significant loss not only to the Ijaw nation but also to Nigeria as a whole, The Nation reported.
Isoun’s ‘legacy’ in science and ICT
A Professor of Veterinary Medicine by training, Isoun made his most enduring mark during his tenure as Minister of Science and Technology in the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
He was widely credited with driving Nigeria’s early push into information technology and space exploration.
Among his most consequential initiatives was the establishment of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the creation of Galaxy Backbone Plc, a government ICT firm set up to harmonise national communication networks and build a reliable broadband infrastructure across the country.
Under his watch, Nigeria also achieved landmark milestones in space technology, including the launch of NigeriaSat-1 and Nigcomsat 1R, two satellites that marked a defining chapter in the country’s scientific history.
Before his ministerial career, Isoun had already distinguished himself in academia.
He served as the founding Vice Chancellor of the University of Science and Technology in Port Harcourt in the old Rivers State, now known as Rivers State University, laying what Governor Diri described as the solid foundations of the country’s first technology-focused university.
Beyond his academic and governmental roles, Isoun remained deeply connected to his Ijaw heritage.
He served as chairman of the Ijaw National Congress, Central Zone, and played a notable part in the political process that led to the creation of Bayelsa State from the old Rivers State in 1996.
“The Odi-born scientist would be greatly missed for his candour, wise counsel and commitment to Ijaw socio-cultural values,” Governor Diri said, while extending condolences from the Bayelsa State Government to the Isoun family and community.
He urged them to take comfort in the late elder statesman’s lasting contributions to national life.
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