Nigeria and Japan have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening their longstanding bilateral relations and building a more strategic, results-oriented and mutually beneficial partnership.
The commitment was made at the conclusion of the 10th Nigeria-Japan Special Partnership Forum (NJSPF), held in Abuja on Thursday, August 27, 2026.
Established in 2001 as a framework for regular bilateral consultations on matters of mutual interest, the 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 edition of the Forum was co-chaired by Ambassador Dunoma Umar Ahmed, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ms. Misako Takahashi, Assistant Minister and Director-General of the African Affairs Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.
During the deliberations, Nigeria stressed the need to translate the longstanding goodwill and cordial relations between both countries into tangible economic and developmental outcomes.
It highlighted investment, industrialisation, technology transfer, innovation, job creation and youth empowerment as key areas requiring greater collaboration.
To deepen economic ties, Nigeria proposed the establishment of a Nigeria-Japan Industrial and Investment Hub, aimed at strengthening industrial partnerships, attracting investment and improving access to the Nigerian market and, by extension, the wider African market.
The two countries also 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 the critical minerals value chain, while Japan expressed interest in strengthening resilient energy systems, building reliable mineral supply chains and expanding the presence of Japanese companies in Nigeria.
The Forum further reviewed development cooperation through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), particularly in renewable energy, primary healthcare, infrastructure and urban development.
The outcome of the Forum is expected to further strengthen economic and development ties between Nigeria and Japan, while creating new opportunities for investment, technology transfer and sustainable growth.