Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, is leading the country’s delegation to the Second Indonesia-Africa Forum, currently underway in Bali, Indonesia. The forum, running from September 1st to 3rd, 2024, marks a significant step in strengthening ties between Indonesia and Africa, with Idris representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the event.
The forum, themed “Bandung Spirit for Africa’s Agenda 2023,” harkens back to the historic 1955 Bandung Conference, which laid the groundwork for solidarity and collaboration between Asia and Africa. This year’s event aims to deepen the alignment between Indonesia’s Vision 2045 and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, fostering mutual growth and development.
In a statement released in Abuja, the minister’s media aide, Rabiu Ibrahim, emphasized the longstanding relationship between Nigeria and Indonesia. “Indonesia has designated Nigeria as its African investment destination from 2022 to 2026,” the statement highlighted, pointing to the growing economic partnership between the two nations. The trade volume between Nigeria and Indonesia reached $6 billion in 2023, a significant increase from $4 billion a decade ago.
The statement also underscored Indonesia’s humanitarian contributions to Nigeria, including the donation of 1.58 million doses of the Pentavalent vaccine, valued at nearly $2 million, in 2023. This contribution has been instrumental in Nigeria’s public health efforts, particularly in safeguarding children from life-threatening diseases.
During the forum, Minister Idris is expected to showcase Nigeria’s investment potential across various sectors and promote the socio-economic benefits of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He will also advocate for enhanced opportunities for Nigerian businesses to participate in the Indonesian economy.
Speaking ahead of the event, Idris expressed his optimism about the outcomes of the forum. “I look forward to representing His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the people of Nigeria at the Second Indonesia-Africa Forum. I am confident that this gathering will further strengthen the bonds between Indonesia, Nigeria, and the broader African continent,” he said.
As the forum progresses, all eyes will be on the discussions and agreements that could shape the future of Indonesia-Africa relations, with Nigeria playing a pivotal role in this evolving partnership.
