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Nigeria and Azerbaijan have opened fresh discussions on deepening bilateral relations, with the two countries exploring greater cooperation across political, economic and social sectors.
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Foreign Affairs Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu and her Azerbaijani counterpart, Jeyhun Bayramov, also reviewed cooperation at the multilateral level and agreed on the need for closer coordination on international platforms where both countries share common interests.
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Azerbaijan said stronger relations with African countries remain a major foreign-policy priority, while Bayramov reaffirmed his country’s commitment to expanding ties with Nigeria, including through people-to-people initiatives such as Azerbaijan’s Intergovernmental Scholarship Program.
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Odumegwu-Ojukwu welcomed initiatives capable of translating diplomatic engagements into tangible benefits for Nigerians and Azerbaijanis, while both ministers stressed sustained political consultations on regional and global issues.
October 06, (THEWILL) – Nigeria and Azerbaijan have moved to strengthen bilateral relations, with the two countries placing renewed emphasis on political, economic and social cooperation as well as closer coordination on multilateral issues.
The development followed a telephone conversation between Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and Azerbaijan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jeyhun Bayramov, on Monday, October 5, 2026.
During the conversation, the two ministers exchanged views on matters of mutual interest and examined opportunities to expand cooperation between Abuja and Baku.
The discussions covered the broadening of Nigeria-Azerbaijan relations across political, economic and social spheres, while the ministers also reviewed collaboration at the multilateral level.
They reaffirmed their commitment to sustained bilateral engagement and greater coordination on international platforms in pursuit of shared interests and objectives.
Bayramov told his Nigerian counterpart that strengthening relations with African countries remains one of Azerbaijan’s key foreign-policy priorities.
He reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s readiness to further deepen its bilateral relationship with Nigeria and expand people-to-people contacts between the two countries.
One of the initiatives highlighted in this regard was Azerbaijan’s Intergovernmental Scholarship Program, which provides an avenue for educational and human-capital exchanges and could contribute to stronger ties between the two countries.
The Azerbaijani minister’s position signals Baku’s interest in broadening its engagement with Nigeria beyond traditional diplomatic relations to include initiatives that can strengthen contacts between citizens of both countries.
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Odumegwu-Ojukwu, for her part, highlighted the significant opportunities available for Nigeria and Azerbaijan to enhance their cooperation.
The Nigerian minister welcomed programmes and initiatives capable of converting diplomatic commitments into practical benefits for citizens of both countries.
She stressed the importance of ensuring that bilateral partnerships produce tangible outcomes for the peoples of Nigeria and Azerbaijan rather than remaining limited to official engagements.
The two ministers also discussed regional and global developments of mutual concern and underscored the importance of maintaining regular political consultations.
According to them, sustained consultations would help both countries advance their shared objectives and strengthen their ability to coordinate positions on issues of common interest.
The renewed engagement also places emphasis on cooperation between Nigeria and Azerbaijan within multilateral institutions.
Both countries agreed on the importance of closer coordination and sustained engagement in multilateral platforms, particularly on issues where their interests and aspirations converge.
The discussions reflect an effort by Abuja and Baku to consolidate existing diplomatic relations while identifying new areas through which cooperation can be expanded.
Nigeria and Azerbaijan established diplomatic relations in 1992, following Azerbaijan’s independence from the Soviet Union. Since then, relations between the two countries have developed through diplomatic contacts and cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
Azerbaijan, located at the crossroads of Eastern Europe and Western Asia in the South Caucasus, has increasingly sought to strengthen its engagement with African countries as part of its broader foreign-policy and international partnership strategy.
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country and one of the continent’s major diplomatic and economic powers, has traditionally pursued broad international partnerships aimed at advancing its economic interests, strengthening political cooperation and expanding opportunities for its citizens.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
