Nigeria and North Korea Strengthen Bilateral Relations

On July 17, 2026, Nigeria's Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dunoma Umar, PhD, met with Jo Yong Sam, the Ambassador-designate of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), during a courtesy visit at the Ministry's headquarters in Abuja. The meeting reaffirmed Nigeria's commitment to deepening its long-standing bilateral relations with North Korea, which were established in 1976.

Ambassador Dunoma assured the DPRK of Nigeria's full support in fulfilling its diplomatic responsibilities and expressed confidence in the cordial relationship between the two countries. The discussions included proposals for cultural exchanges, such as cooperation in film and creative arts, and the establishment of a permanent Nigerian embassy in Pyongyang.

The meeting also addressed Nigeria's candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council and emphasized the importance of enhancing people-to-people contacts. The visit commemorated the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and North Korea.