Nigeria will be Belarus’ partner in key economic sectors

President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko stated that his country is ready for partnership with the Federal Republic of Nigeria in key economic areas.

This happened when he received the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, at his office in Belarus.

He highlighted some of the areas in which Belarus is considering cooperation between the two countries, including agriculture, food processing, industry and education.

The President, speaking through an interpreter, said the visit of Senator Oluremi Tinubu had further strengthened his administration’s determination to strengthen bilateral relations with Nigeria, noting that one of the key areas they would like to cooperate on was the training of professionals.

“We know your needs and the opportunities you have.

Let me emphasize that these opportunities are important and meaningful to us. We can be of significant help to you, and you can return the favor.”

“We are ready to explore the possibility of deeper cooperation in the field of education with your country.”

“Please request President Bola Tinubu to visit our Foreign Minister to your country so that we can further develop these areas of cooperation.”

Responding to the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu thanked the President of the Republic of Belarus, especially for awarding 20 Nigerian students full scholarships under her Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI).

She explained to President Lukashenko that RHI is currently engaged in women’s empowerment activities, especially through the Women in Agriculture programme, which aims to improve food security and production in Nigeria.

She assured that Nigeria will also continue to contact the Republic of Belarus to see how the desired cooperation between the two countries will be implemented.

Earlier, the First Lady met with Belarusian Minister of Education Andrei Ivanets, who emphasized that currently about 600 people are studying in Nigeria.

Ivanets said that students studying in various fields were achieving very good academic results and that his ministry was looking forward to formalising the bilateral agreement with Nigeria.

He added that the Belarusian government hopes to establish specialized training centers in Nigeria.

Senator Oluremi Tinubu during the meeting stressed that the Work Experience Programme in the Republic of Belarus is very commendable and that Nigeria would consider implementing it.

During the visit, the First Lady also met with the Speaker of the Parliament of Belarus, Ms. Natalia Kochanova, and members of the Union of Women of Belarus, which brings together professionals from all sectors.