The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to enhancing diplomatic, economic, and cultural relations with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The statement came during a courtesy meeting between the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, and the Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Nigeria, Yosef Bin Mohammed Al Balawi, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday.
Minister Idris described the visit as strategic, aimed at consolidating cooperation between both countries’ institutions. He highlighted Nigeria’s appreciation for its long-standing relationship with Saudi Arabia and expressed the government’s determination to deepen collaboration in key sectors, including media, economy, and security.
According to the Minister, “Nigeria values its enduring friendship with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and remains committed to translating our shared history into stronger partnerships. We seek closer cooperation in areas that will directly benefit our citizens.”
The Minister disclosed that Nigeria has approved three significant Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) proposed by Saudi authorities. These agreements are designed to foster collaboration in the media and communications sector. Specifically, they cover:
Information sharing between the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) and the Saudi Press Agency.
Joint radio and television initiatives between the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and the Saudi Broadcasting Authority.
Partnerships in audio-visual media between the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and Saudi media regulators.
“These MoUs go beyond formal agreements; they are a key step in promoting media diplomacy, ensuring accurate information exchange, and strengthening our bilateral ties,” Idris stated.
The Minister also emphasized the importance of collaboration in multilateral platforms such as the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and UNESCO, highlighting shared goals in global peace, cultural dialogue, and development initiatives. He further commended Saudi Arabia for its continued support of Nigerian pilgrims during Hajj and Umrah and suggested the resumption of direct flights between Jeddah and Abuja to boost tourism and business.
In his remarks, Ambassador Al Balawi expressed gratitude for the warm reception and reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s interest in closer cooperation with Nigeria across media, economic, security, and religious spheres. He also reiterated his country’s commitment to assisting Nigerian pilgrims and fostering institutional partnerships to promote accurate information about Saudi Arabia.
The meeting was attended by senior officials of the Ministry of Information, including Permanent Secretary Ogbodo Chinasa Nnam, Director of Public Communication Henshaw Ogubike, Director of Public Relations and Protocol Haruna Suleiman, and Director of the National Archive, Dr. Evelyn Odigboh.