WorldStage– Nigeria and Indonesia have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral economic cooperation, following a high-level engagement aimed at expanding trade, investment, and institutional collaboration.
The renewed partnership came into focus when Indonesia’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Bambang Suharto, paid a courtesy visit to the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning in Abuja, where both sides explored avenues for deeper economic engagement and sustainable development.
The meeting was led by the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, alongside the Minister of State, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite, and the Permanent Secretary, Dr Deborah Odoh, with senior officials from both countries in attendance.
Welcoming the Indonesian delegation, Odoh described the visit as a strong signal of the enduring relationship between both nations, anchored on mutual respect and shared aspirations for inclusive growth within the Global South.
She noted that Indonesia’s strides in governance, economic diversification, and public sector innovation present valuable lessons for Nigeria, adding that the engagement provides a timely platform to strengthen institutional partnerships and pursue practical development solutions.
In his remarks, Ambassador Suharto expressed appreciation for the warm reception and reaffirmed Indonesia’s commitment to deepening its long-standing ties with Nigeria. He identified key areas of cooperation, including trade and investment, budget management, economic diversification, and capacity building.
Highlighting ongoing collaborations, he pointed to agricultural initiatives in Sokoto and Kebbi states, particularly in livestock development, as well as growing partnerships in the pharmaceutical sector, where Indonesian firms are establishing manufacturing facilities in Lagos.
The envoy also unveiled plans to expand cooperation into strategic industries, including the development of Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facilities for aircraft and maritime assets—an initiative aimed at positioning Nigeria as a regional hub.
Responding, Bagudu welcomed the delegation and commended the steady progress in bilateral relations. He underscored Nigeria’s interest in drawing lessons from Indonesia’s transformation into a $1.4 trillion economy, particularly as the country advances implementation of its 2026–2030 National Development Plan.
“Indonesia remains a critical partner as Nigeria pursues inclusive growth and economic transformation. There is significant potential to achieve more through shared knowledge, investment, and innovation,” he said.
The minister also reiterated Nigeria’s ambition to build a $1 trillion economy under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, stressing the importance of private sector participation and international partnerships in realising this objective.
Also speaking, Minister of State for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr Uzoka-Anite, highlighted the strong cultural and economic ties between both nations, noting that shared values provide a solid foundation for deeper multi-sector collaboration.
She called for increased engagement and enhanced knowledge exchange to translate opportunities into measurable outcomes.The meeting concluded with both countries reaffirming their commitment to strengthening cooperation frameworks, expanding investment flows, and deepening strategic partnerships to drive sustainable economic growth.
