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The Nigerian government, under President Bola Tinubu, has sought South Africa’s support to secure full membership in global alliances such as the G20, BRICS, and the BRICS New Development Bank. The request was made on Monday during the ministerial session of the 11th Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) held in Cape Town.
Nigeria also appealed for South Africa’s backing in securing leadership roles in thematic discussions under South Africa’s presidency of the G20, which began on December 1.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu, highlighted the importance of Nigeria’s aspirations in her closing remarks at the session. She also called on South Africa to support peace efforts in Sudan, emphasizing President Tinubu’s commitment as part of the African Union’s mediation committee to resolve the conflict and foster regional stability.
“We are deeply committed to resolving the Sudan crisis. We seek South Africa’s assistance in accelerating the peace process to achieve stability across the region. With peace, we can unlock progress and development in all sectors,” she said.
The meeting also finalized a draft communiqué, which will be presented to Presidents Tinubu and Cyril Ramaphosa at the presidential BNC session on Tuesday.
South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr. Roland Lamola, acknowledged Nigeria’s requests and reiterated South Africa’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations. He assured that South Africa’s G20 presidency would prioritize amplifying Africa’s voice, stating:
“We will rely on Nigeria’s wisdom as we undertake this significant responsibility.”
Lamola outlined key areas of collaboration, including trade, tourism, health, education, agriculture, arts and culture, climate change, defense, and ICT. He stressed the need to accelerate agreements under the BNC framework and deepen ties between Africa’s two largest economies.
Nigeria also expressed interest in expanding cooperation with South Africa in infrastructure and mining. During the session, Nigeria presented a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to certify Nigerian mining professionals, aiming to boost their global competitiveness and explore co-financing for infrastructure projects.
“Through this MOU, we aim to enhance the capacity of Nigerian mining professionals and explore new opportunities for cooperation in infrastructure development,” Ojukwu stated.
The discussions commemorated the 25th anniversary of the Nigeria-South Africa BNC, a testament to the strong historical ties between the two nations. Lamola acknowledged Nigeria’s pivotal support during South Africa’s anti-apartheid struggle, calling it a deeply valued gesture.
Looking ahead, Lamola called for increased trade and investment under the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), urging both nations to identify viable infrastructure projects. He also emphasized reforming global institutions like the United Nations and ensuring Africa’s development priorities during South Africa’s G20 presidency in 2025.
Additionally, Nigeria and South Africa exchanged an MOU on Consular and Migration Matters, with a plan for finalization by June 2025. Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Kemi Nandap, revealed that the agreement aims to enhance cooperation on migration, streamline visa processes, and ensure fair treatment for nationals facing deportation.
Ojukwu concluded by emphasizing the shared destinies of Nigeria and South Africa as leading African economies, stating:
“Together, we can achieve remarkable success for our nations and the African continent as a whole.”
