Nigeria and Japan have reaffirmed commitment to strengthening longstanding bilateral relations and advancing a more strategic result-oriented and mutually beneficial partnership following the successful conclusion of the 10th Nigeria-Japan Special Partnership Forum (NJSPF) held in Abuja on Thursday, 27 August 2026.
Established in 2001 as a framework for regular bilateral consultations on matters of mutual interest, NJSPF provides an important platform for both countries to review the state of their relations, address emerging issues and identify practical areas for enhanced cooperation.
The 10th NJSPF was co-chaired by Ambassador Dunoma Umar Ahmed, PhD, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Her Excellency Ms. Misako Takahashi, Assistant Minister and Director-General of the African Affairs Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.
During deliberations, Nigeria underscored the importance of translating the longstanding goodwill and cordial relations between the two countries into tangible economic and developmental outcomes, with particular emphasis on investment, industrialisation, technology transfer, innovation, job creation and youth empowerment.
In this regard, Nigeria proposed the establishment of a Nigeria-Japan Industrial and Investment Hub, to strengthen industrial partnerships and enhance access to the Nigerian market and by extension, the wider African maker.
The two sides identified significant opportunities for expanded cooperation in renewable energy, critical minerals, infrastructure, agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare, digital technology, artificial intelligence and skills development. Nigeria welcomed Japanese expertise and investment in critical minerals value chain, while Japan expressed interest in resilient energy, strengthening mineral supply chain and expanded presence of Japanese companies in Nigeria.
The Forum also reviewed development cooperation through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), particularly in the areas of renewable energy, primary healthcare, infrastructure and urban development.
