Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s dedication to firmly establishing democracy throughout Africa.
When Hon. Nancy Gladys Tembo, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Malawi, paid her a courtesy call at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tafawa Balewa House in Abuja, she made this known.
One of the foundations of the foreign policy strategy of the administration led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, known as the “4Ds”—Demography, Development, Diaspora, and Democracy—is the promotion of democracy, according to Odumegwu-Ojukwu.
She promised Malawi that Nigeria would back the country in the upcoming general elections in September of this year.
“I am also aware that the Nigerian government will back Malawi in its upcoming general elections in September of this year,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu stated. Democracy is a key tenet of our president’s four-dimensional foreign policy approach. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is dedicated to seeing African states firmly establish democracy.
After learning that Malawi has firm intentions to open its embassy in Abuja this year, the minister hailed the news as a positive step that would strengthen the two nations’ bilateral ties.
She expressed hope that the East African nation’s Embassy in Abuja will strengthen its bilateral connections, but lamented that the two Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) that were signed between the two nations in 2012 had not yet been activated.
Two of our MOUs require reactivation. Following President Goodluck Jonathan’s visit to Malawi in 2012, they were signed. We therefore eagerly await the opening of the Embassy.
In 1960, Nigeria gained independence, and in 1964, Malawi did the same. It’s astonishing that our great bilateral connection between Malawi and Nigeria hasn’t been able to materialize. I believe a new era in our country-to-country interactions will begin with your establishment of a resident diplomatic post here,” she added.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu also urged Malawi to take advantage of Nigeria’s Technical Aids Corps and the bridge the gap caused by the shortage of trained teachers in its basic education system and any other areas the country might require manpower.
She said: “You just talked about lack of trained teachers; Nigeria can provide technical assistance to Malawi under the South South Cooperation.
“So, our Technical Aids Corps is there to assist by sending technical manpower. Nigeria pays these volunteers. Countries like Namibia are already enjoying this assistance. We recently approved their request for 40 nurses.”
Earlier, Malawi’s Foreign Affairs Minister, told Odumegwu-Ojukwu that she took advantage of the 32nd Afreximbank Annual Meeting 2025 in Abuja to visit her and build closer relationship with Nigerian authorities.
Aside, announcing plans by her country to open its Embassy in Abuja, Tembo noted that Malawi was determined to strengthen bilateral relationship with Nigeria.
The visiting minister said: “The Afreximbank meeting was an opportunity for people to meet. My country is looking forward to bilateral cooperation with Nigeria. Already, we are comfortable with Nigerians doing business in Malawi. We want to strengthen bilateral cooperation with Nigeria. Afreximbank has helped us to awaken our relationship.”
Tembo who praised Nigerian businessmen in Malawi highlighted that adequate trade had been going on between Nigeria and Malawi, though not reported.
She thus extended an invitation to Nigerian investors to explore the nation’s abundant natural resources.
We used to only rely on agriculture, but as time went on, we realized we had enormous mineral resources. Therefore, we extend an invitation to mining investors, including Nigerians. The Malawian Minister stated, “We recently established a mining regulatory agency.”
She called her trip to Nigeria “exciting” and expressed excitement about meeting Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, in Malawi.
Francis Mphatso Mponda, Director of Africa, and Amb. Mwayiwawo Polepole, Secretary for Foreign Affairs, accompanied the envoy on the visit.
About The Author
