Nigeria and Cote d'Ivoire Strengthen Bilateral Relations

On July 16, 2026, during the ECOWAS mid-year summit in Freetown, Sierra Leone, Nigeria's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sola Enikanolaiy, and Cote d'Ivoire's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nial Kaba, engaged in discussions aimed at strengthening bilateral ties between the two nations. Enikanolaiy acknowledged the prompt response and cooperation from Cote d'Ivoire, emphasizing the importance of increasing collaboration and consultation among key players in the region.

Kaba expressed appreciation for Enikanolaiy's appointment and underscored the necessity for greater cooperation to stabilize the region, highlighting Nigeria's significant role. The ministers agreed to work on resuscitating the Nigeria-Cote d'Ivoire Bi-National Commission, which last convened in 2021 in Abidjan, to review existing agreements and explore new opportunities for collaboration.

The commitment to enhance cooperation across various sectors was reiterated, aiming to benefit citizens of both countries and advance regional prosperity and stability.