Nigeria is seeking to revive existing bilateral agreements with Spain and restore direct air connectivity between the two countries as newly appointed Ambassador Okezie Victor Ikpeazu begins his diplomatic assignment in Madrid.
Ikpeazu made the case for a stronger and more practical Nigeria-Spain partnership after presenting his Letters of Credence to King Felipe VI of Spain at the Royal Palace in Madrid on Monday, September 14.
The ambassador specifically highlighted the need to review and revitalise existing bilateral agreements, including the Bilateral Air Service Agreement, to make them more responsive to current economic and diplomatic priorities.
He said improved direct air connectivity would help strengthen economic partnerships, boost tourism and increase people-to-people exchanges between Nigeria and Spain.
According to a statement issued by Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson Oluwafemi Adeniyi on Tuesday, Ikpeazu also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to expanding cooperation with Spain in trade and investment, energy, infrastructure, agriculture, education, culture, tourism, security and people-to-people relations.
The presentation of the Letters of Credence formally marked the commencement of Ikpeazu’s diplomatic assignment in Spain. He conveyed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s greetings and best wishes to King Felipe VI, the Spanish government and people.
Ikpeazu expressed Nigeria’s readiness to work with the Spanish government, institutions and private sector to unlock new economic opportunities, increase trade and investment flows and deepen institutional and commercial partnerships.
Speaking at a reception hosted by the Nigerian Embassy in Madrid after the ceremony, the ambassador said Nigeria-Spain relations offered significant opportunities for broader cooperation involving public institutions, businesses, academia, cultural organisations, civil society and communities.
He called for a more robust and sustained bilateral partnership, with greater emphasis on translating existing goodwill between the two countries into concrete outcomes.
The ambassador also highlighted the Nigerian community in Spain as an important link between both countries. He pledged that the embassy would promote and protect the interests of Nigerian nationals while strengthening their engagement with the mission.
The reception was attended by members of the diplomatic corps, Spanish government representatives, business and cultural stakeholders and members of the Nigerian community in Spain.
Ikpeazu said he was committed to advancing Nigeria’s interests while consolidating the longstanding relationship between Nigeria and Spain.
The embassy said it would work with the Spanish government, private sector, development partners, diplomatic community and Nigerian nationals to deepen bilateral cooperation and promote shared prosperity.
