RismadarVoice Reporters
September 19, 2026
The Federal Government of Nigeria has called for an increase in bilateral trade with Vietnam from its current level of more than $1 billion to $2 billion.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dunoma Ahmed, made the call in Abuja on Friday at a reception to mark Vietnam’s 81st National Day and the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Vietnam.
Mr Ahmed said Nigeria was interested in expanding economic ties with Vietnam as part of efforts to grow the country’s economy.
“Currently, we have over one billion trade relationships. I hope, Your Excellency Ambassador, you will increase this one billion into two billion as Nigeria is looking forward to a one trillion dollar economy,” he said.
The permanent secretary said Nigeria and Vietnam had sustained cooperation over the past five decades in areas including agriculture, trade and investment, defence and multilateral diplomacy.
He described the two countries as strategic partners and said their relationship reflected the principles of South-South cooperation.
“We have a lot of Nigerian, Vietnamese and Vietnamese companies cooperating in contributing to the national development of each country,” Mr Ahmed said.
Mr Ahmed said the Federal Government was seeking to broaden bilateral cooperation into areas including agricultural processing, renewable energy, the digital economy, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing and skills development.
He also advocated greater exchange of expertise and stronger people-to-people relations, particularly among young people in both countries.
The Vietnamese Ambassador to Nigeria, Le Viet Hoang, said the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations provided an opportunity for both countries to expand their economic partnership.
Mr Hoang described Nigeria as one of Vietnam’s major trading partners in Africa.
He identified Nigerian commodities such as cashew nuts, timber and liquefied natural gas among products traded between the two countries.
Vietnamese products, including rice, textiles, consumer goods and technology, have also gained a presence in the Nigerian market, he said.
The ambassador said Vietnam was willing to share its experience in high-tech agriculture, rice production and processing, aquaculture and agro-processing to support Nigeria’s efforts to improve food security.
He also identified telecommunications, infrastructure, innovation, e-commerce and financial technology as potential areas for expanded cooperation.
Mr Hoang encouraged Nigerian businesses to explore investment opportunities in Vietnam and said the Vietnamese Embassy in Nigeria would continue to facilitate stronger commercial ties and support Vietnamese businesses seeking opportunities in the Nigerian market.
The reception brought together government officials, diplomats and representatives of the business community to commemorate Vietnam’s National Day and the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Both governments reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation in trade, investment and other areas of mutual interest.
