Abuja: Nigeria and Pakistan, both members of the Commonwealth of Nations and Developing-8, have enjoyed blossoming diplomatic and bilateral relations over the years. The relations established on March 22, 1961, span from trade to defense and cultural exchanges, growing deeper with both countries building strong ties.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, in 2023, Pakistani exports to Nigeria were approximated at $39.8 million, consisting mainly of packaged medicaments, synthetic fabrics, and vinyl chloride polymers. Meanwhile, Pakistani imports from Nigeria are projected to be worth $565.09 million in 2024, as per the UN COMTRADE database on international trade. These imports include mineral fuels, oils, distillation products, oil seeds, oleagic fruits, grain, seed, fruits, wastes of the food industry, animal fodder, cotton, raw hides, and skins, among others.
Both countries have benefited through this trade relationship and are working to strengthen their ties through trade delegations and business liaisons. In 2021, Pakistan energized its relations with Nigeria and Africa through the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), leveraging the “Engage Africa Policy” platform. This policy not only reinforced trade and economic ties with Nigeria but also extended the relationship to other African countries by opening five new diplomatic missions in Rwanda, Ivory Coast, Uganda, Djibouti, and Ghana.
Retired Maj.-Gen. Sohail Khan, the High Commissioner of Pakistan to Nigeria, expressed optimism about the deepening historical relationship between the two nations, emphasizing engagement in trade, cultural, and military exchanges. Khan noted that both countries would continue to strive harder to further improve their bilateral ties.
In 2024, Pakistan collaborated with the Beauty West Africa (BWA) exhibition held in Lagos. The Pakistani ambassador highlighted the need for collaboration between his country and Nigeria on raw material for beauty products to enhance investments. The BWA’s seventh edition was regarded as the biggest beauty exhibition of its kind in recent times, attracting more than 300 exhibitors from 52 countries, including Pakistan, the UAE, Korea, Egypt, China, India, Europe, the Middle East, and South America.
According to Khan, the collaboration is a win-win situation where the exchange of goods and services forms the bedrock of the Nigeria-Pakistan relationship. He emphasized the availability of raw materials for beauty products in Nigeria, encouraging Pakistani investors to establish small manufacturing units, which would benefit both countries through joint ventures and collaborations.
The strategic bonds between Nigeria and Pakistan extend beyond trade, encompassing counter-terrorism and border security to reinforce bilateral military relations. Recently, Gen. Shahir Mirza, the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee of Pakistan, visited Gen. Christopher Musa, Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff. This strategic meeting marked a significant step toward reinforcing military cooperation, particularly in training, intelligence sharing, and counterterrorism.
The collaboration has seen over 2,000 Nigerian military officers receiving training from various Pakistani military institutions, enhancing Nigeria’s military operations against insurgency and terrorism. Mirza acknowledged Nigeria’s continental significance to Pakistan and expressed readiness for further collaboration with the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON). In response, Musa emphasized the importance of strategic collaboration, particularly in Special Forces training, management of veteran affairs, border security, and intelligence.
The Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) reported that Mirza also met with Nigeria’s defense minister and chiefs of the army, navy, and air force. These meetings focused on challenges faced by both countries, especially in counterterrorism and broader defense cooperation and regional security. Both sides reaffirmed their resolve to enhance defense and military collaboration.
Nigeria has inducted three JF-17 thunder jets and ten Super Mushak aircraft into its air force fleet, procured from Pakistan. Additionally, under the Pakistan Technical Assistance Programme, Pakistan offers scholarships to Nigerian students, with approximately 2,500 Pakistanis living in Nigeria. Analysts highlight that deepening bilateral relations between Nigeria and Pakistan will be mutually beneficial, especially given similar security and economic challenges faced by both nations.
