Nigeria Seeks Stronger Ties With Poland In Defence, Agriculture, Maritime And Digital Economy Shettima

by HEDNEWS on May 22, 2026

Nigeria Seeks Stronger Ties With Poland in Defence, Agriculture, Maritime and Digital Economy Shettima Vice President Kashim Shettima has said Nigeria is committed to strengthening bilateral relations with the Republic of Poland, with cooperation expected to expand across defence, agriculture, maritime development, and the digital economy.The Vice President made the remarks during a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa in Abuja by Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Affairs, Dr. Krzysztof Gawkowski, according to a report by The Shettima said Nigeria is open to stronger, mutually beneficial partnerships with Poland, stressing that both countries stand to gain from expanded cooperation in key strategic sectors.He noted that Nigeria’s economic reforms under President Bola Tinubu have improved the country’s investment climate and positioned it for deeper international engagement. According to him, Nigeria is prioritising partnerships that promote productivity rather than dependence on foreign aid.

The Vice President highlighted several sectors where collaboration between both countries could be strengthened,

Defence cooperation and security technology exchange
Agricultural development and food security
Maritime economy and shipbuilding
Digital economy and innovation systems
Industrial development and technology transfer

He noted that Poland has demonstrated strong comparative advantages in several of these areas, making it a valuable partner for Nigeria’s development goals. Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister, Dr. Gawkowski, described Nigeria as one of Poland’s most strategic partners in Africa, citing its large population, economic potential, and growing technological capacity.He expressed optimism that the engagement would open new opportunities in innovation, digitisation, and long-term economic cooperation between both countries. Shettima also pointed to recent reforms by the Tinubu administration, including foreign exchange liberalisation, removal of fuel subsidies, and tax harmonisation, as key steps that have improved Nigeria’s business environment. He said these reforms are designed to attract investment and deepen global partnerships across multiple sectors.Both countries agreed on the need to expand cooperation beyond diplomacy into practical economic collaboration, especially in areas where Poland has strong technical expertise and Nigeria has large-scale development needs.Analysts say the engagement reflects Nigeria’s broader push to diversify partnerships and strengthen ties with European economies in critical growth sectors.The visit by the Polish delegation marks a step toward deeper Nigeria–Poland relations, with both countries signalling readiness to expand cooperation in defence, agriculture, maritime development, and digital innovation. The engagement is expected to pave the way for future agreements aimed at boosting trade, technology exchange, and economic development.