ABUJA, Nigeria — Nigeria is seeking to revive its struggling textile industry through a strengthened economic partnership with Vietnam, as both countries move to deepen trade and investment ties.
The push was a key outcome of a high-level meeting in Abuja between Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, and Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Le Anh Tuan.
The details were contained in a statement signed by Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Speaking during the meeting, Enikanolaiye identified the textile and garment sector as a major opportunity for collaboration, noting Vietnam’s global success in manufacturing and exports. He said Nigeria is looking to leverage Vietnam’s expertise to rebuild its once-thriving textile industry through investment, technology transfer, and skills development.
“Nigeria once possessed one of Africa’s largest textile industries, and we are keen to partner with Vietnam to revitalise the sector,” he said.
Beyond textiles, both countries reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation across trade, investment, and industrial development. Vietnam emphasised the need to fast-track key bilateral agreements, including those on investment protection and avoidance of double taxation, to boost investor confidence and ease business operations.
The Nigerian government also underscored the importance of private sector participation, calling for stronger collaboration between business communities, chambers of commerce, and investors from both countries to drive sustainable economic growth.
Officials from both sides agreed to intensify high-level engagements and conclude pending agreements, including a proposed framework for political consultations, with the first session expected in Vietnam in 2027.
In a broader context, Nigeria reiterated its commitment to strengthening ties with Southeast Asia and promoting South-South cooperation, while supporting deeper collaboration between ASEAN, the African Union, and ECOWAS.
The renewed engagement signals a strategic shift toward sector-specific partnerships, with Nigeria positioning industrial revival—particularly in manufacturing—as a central pillar of its foreign economic policy.
