Nigeria and the Republic of Iran have reasserted their commitment to bolstering bilateral relations with “renewed” focus on trade, energy and multilateral engagements.
This was made known in a statement released by Presidency Nigeria on Thursday 18 December, 2025 after a meeting between Amb. Dunoma Umar Ahmed, Perm Sec of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and H.E. Gholamreza Raja, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Nigeria, in Abuja.
The meeting was the Iranian ambassador’s first official engagement after presenting his Letters of Credence to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa.
The Statement reads: “Nigeria, Iran Reaffirm Commitment to Deepen Bilateral Relations.
“Nigeria and the Islamic Republic of Iran have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, with renewed focus on trade, investment, energy cooperation, and multilateral engagement. The commitment was reaffirmed during a high-level meeting held on 17 December 2025 in Abuja.
“The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Dunoma Umar Ahmed, PhD, received the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Nigeria, H.E. Gholamreza Raja, marking one of the ambassador’s first formal engagements following the presentation of his Letters of Credence to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
Replies to Presidency Nigeria:
@CroBender wrote: “Of all the countries in the world, Tinubu picked France and Iran for Nigerians.”
@yaksmeer wrote: “People are too backwards in Nigeria from the comments I’m seeing. Iran is the global leader in drone production, producing 85% of its medical equipment locally, including CT scan machines, nuclear technology for power generation, pharmaceuticals, cargo aircraft, trains for domestic transportation, and a space programme. Nigeria has more than 300,000 mosques and churches. Stop exhibiting your ignorance.”
@ikpemosi_ wrote: “What on earth does Nigeria want from Iran?”
@cisero81 wrote: “When its time for Nigerian politicians to educate their children, they take them to Switzerland and Harvard. For medicare, they go to the UK, Germany, and France. But once its time for them to make trade deals on behalf of Nigeria, they face Iran and Afghanistan.”
@Bello19Muslim wrote: “Strengthening ties with Iran could open new avenues for trade and energy collaboration, but Nigeria must balance this with existing international partnerships and ensure that agreements are transparent, mutually beneficial, and aligned with national interests. Strategic diplomacy”
