President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart France on Monday for Cape Town, South Africa, where he will co-chair the 11th session of the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) alongside President Cyril Ramaphosa.
This was disclosed in a statement on Sunday in a statement issued by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
The high-level BNC session, which will take place on Tuesday, December 3, at the South African Parliament Building in Cape Town, will be preceded by a ministerial meeting scheduled for December 2.
This year’s gathering marks the 25th anniversary of the BNC, a significant milestone in the relationship between the two nations.
President Tinubu, currently wrapping up a state visit to France, will lead a high-powered Nigerian delegation comprising state governors, ministers, and senior government officials.
His discussions with President Ramaphosa will cover a broad spectrum of issues, including bilateral, regional, and international matters of mutual interest.
The 11th session builds on commitments made during the two leaders’ last engagement on June 20, 2024, in Johannesburg, shortly after President Ramaphosa’s second-term inauguration.
Both leaders will assess the progress made since the 10th BNC session in Abuja in late 2021 and chart a roadmap for further collaboration.
The BNC, established in 1999, has been pivotal in fostering diplomatic and economic ties between Nigeria and South Africa.
This year’s deliberations will be conducted through eight working groups focusing on critical sectors, including trade, defence, banking, energy, and migration.
Officials from both nations are expected to sign several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements during the session.
The President will return to Nigeria after the conclusion of the BNC, further emphasizing the role of diplomacy in driving the nation’s development agenda.
“President Bola Tinubu will leave France on Monday for Cape Town, South Africa, to co-chair the 11th session of the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission alongside President Cyril Ramaphosa.
“The presidential BNC, scheduled for Tuesday, December 3, will be preceded by a ministerial meeting on December 2, 2024, at the South African Parliament Building in Cape Town.
“President Tinubu and President Ramaphosa will engage in substantive talks on a wide range of issues of mutual interest, including bilateral, regional, and international matters.
“Building on the commitments from their June 20, 2024, meeting in Johannesburg shortly after President Ramaphosa’s inauguration for a second term in office, the two leaders will review the progress achieved since the 10th session of the BNC held in Abuja from November 29 to December 1, 2021.
“The 11th session of the BNC will feature deliberations across eight working groups, each focusing on a specific area of mutual interest. These include political consultations, consular and migration, banking and finance, defence and security, manufacturing, social sector, mines and energy, and trade and investments.
“At the high-level meeting, officials of both countries will sign several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements.
“The Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission was established in 1999 to further strengthen the ties of friendship and cooperation between the two nations.
“The first session at the Heads of State level was held in October 2019 in Pretoria.
“The BNC provides a platform for sustaining high-level dialogue and promoting cooperation in critical areas such as diplomacy, economy, trade, security, and other areas of mutual interest.
“This year’s meeting is particularly significant as it coincides with the 25th anniversary of the Commission, a testament to the enduring friendship and cooperation between Nigeria and South Africa.
“President Tinubu will be accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising state governors, ministers, and senior government officials,
“He will return to the country after the BNC meeting”, the statement said.
President Tinubu’s participation underscores his administration’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s global partnerships and advancing economic and security cooperation.
His visit to South Africa reaffirms the strategic importance of the bilateral relationship between Africa’s two largest economies.
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