Nigeria and Mali Strengthen Ties on Security Issues

Nigeria and Mali have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and enhancing cooperation to address security and development challenges in the Sahel and West Africa. This commitment was made during a bilateral meeting between Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and Mali’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Abdoulaye Diop, on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA81) in New York.

The meeting, as reported by Dr. Magnus Eze, Special Assistant on Communication and New Media to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, aimed to strengthen political consultations and discuss developments in the region. Odumegwu-Ojukwu emphasized the need for sustained cooperation among neighboring countries to tackle cross-border terrorism, organized crime, and other security threats.

The ministers also discussed the evolving relationship between Mali and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and opportunities for deepening bilateral economic cooperation. This engagement follows Nigeria and Mali's agreement in July 2026 to revitalize their Joint Commission, focusing on security, trade, and other priority areas.