Nigeria is set to conclude trade co-operation agreements with Belarus

Nigeria is set to conclude all outstanding trade and economic cooperation agreements as well as pursue other areas of diplomatic relations with Belarus,  Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, said Thursday.

 The Vice President disclosed this when he received the Ambassador of Belarus to Nigeria, Vyacheslav Bekesty and his delegation, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Some of the areas where Belarus is seeking collaboration with Nigeria include production of consumables and partnership with companies in the country including the automobile industry.

Noting Bekesty’s request for enhanced trade relations between the two nations, Osinbajo expressed Nigeria’s appreciation for the very active cooperation of Belarus in the fight against Boko Haram and the moral struggle against extremism and terrorism

A statement by the Vice President’s spokesman Laolu Akande, said the Vice President informed the Ambassador that the Federal Government has recognized the contributions of Belarus to Nigeria’s development, especially in the area of training of Nigerian troops and the education of Nigerian students, many of who attend tertiary institutions in the eastern European nation.

Offering Belarus access to the Nigerian market, the Vice President restated the determination of the Buhari led administration to protect Nigeria’s local industries, emphasizing that “Nigeria hopes to become a country that provides for some of its own needs.”

Earlier, the Belarus Ambassador told the Vice President that his country holds Nigeria in high esteem, which informed the expansion of its Mission in Nigeria.

He said Belarus desires a visit by President Muhammadu and therefore requested the Vice President to help facilitate it, adding that this will go a long way to boost the morale of the people of Belarus and further deepen the existing cordial diplomatic relationship between both countries.

Belarus recently cancelled the compulsory one year language class for foreign students including Nigerians as well as providing educational instructions in English.