By Amb. Mohamed Fouad
This year marks a milestone in Egypt–Nigeria relations: 65 years of formal diplomatic ties, established soon after Nigeria’s independence in 1960 and cemented with the opening of embassies in 1961.
That official relationship, one of Africa’s longest, rests on foundations laid centuries earlier when generations of Nigerian students traveled to Cairo to study at Al Azhar University, forging deep intellectual and cultural bonds.
Centuries ago, Al Azhar established the Borno Pavilion to welcome students from northern Nigeria, and successive cohorts of Nigerian graduates have returned home to play influential roles across society.
The modern partnership took shape during a transformative era for the continent.
As African nations won independence, Egypt under President Gamal Abdel Nasser championed liberation, Pan African solidarity, and the principle that Africa’s future should be decided by Africans.
Nigeria likewise embraced a foreign policy that supported the liberation of African countries from colonial rule.
Under Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Nigeria worked closely with Egypt to promote decolonisation, Pan Africanism, and political and economic cooperation.
Both countries were founding members of the Organisation of African Unity in 1963, the precursor to today’s African Union, formalising their shared commitment to stability, development, and unity.
Over six decades, Egypt and Nigeria have consistently supported sovereignty, peaceful coexistence, and African-led solutions to regional problems through the African Union, the United Nations, and other multilateral forums.
Today their partnership is increasingly relevant as both nations confront common threats: terrorism, transnational organised crime, irregular migration, and climate change.
They recognise that lasting peace and security require coordinated action, including capacity building, intelligence sharing, and stronger continental institutions.
Economic cooperation between two of Africa’s largest economies presents vast opportunities.
From infrastructure and construction to agriculture, renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, financial services, and digital innovation, the scope for trade and investment is expanding.
Numerous Egyptian companies have been active in Nigeria for years in construction, information technology, and industry; creating jobs and supporting development.
Bilateral trade remains below its potential; in 2024 trade reached USD 315 million, with Nigeria exporting approximately USD 165 million—mainly LNG—and Egypt exporting about USD 150 million.
Both countries are working to boost trade and investment.
In July 2025, Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Badr Abdelatty, led a high level delegation of 30 Egyptian business leaders to Abuja to explore cooperation in infrastructure, energy, agriculture, and healthcare.
That visit translated diplomatic goodwill into practical cooperation, catalysing joint ventures, trade expansion, and private sector partnerships.
Business leaders from both countries also discussed launching an Egypt Nigeria Chamber of Commerce, demonstrating a commitment to transform strong political ties into a dynamic economic partnership that advances sustainable growth and African integration.
Education and cultural exchange remain among the most tangible aspects of the Egypt–Nigeria partnership.
Thousands of Nigerian students study at Egyptian universities in medicine, engineering, science, agriculture, and business.
Egypt supports human capital development through scholarships, academic exchanges, and professional training programmes.
Egyptian universities offer around 75 annual scholarships for Nigerian students, strengthening academic cooperation and people to people connections.
Al Azhar maintains a mission of roughly 80 scholars teaching Arabic and Islamic studies in Nigeria, further reinforcing longstanding cultural and religious ties.
United by a rich African heritage and a shared belief in the continent’s potential, Egypt and Nigeria continue to advocate for stronger continental integration, greater representation for Africa in international institutions, and sustainable development solutions.
The 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations is more than a commemoration of the past; it is a call to deepen cooperation on food security, healthcare, digital transformation, youth empowerment, innovation, and industrialisation.
Sixty five years of diplomacy represent one chapter in a relationship whose roots stretch back centuries.
Together, Egypt and Nigeria are well positioned to model effective African cooperation and to help shape a more prosperous, integrated future for the continent.(NAN)
** Foua is the Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to Nigeria