Nigeria and Senegal have agreed to deepen political and economic cooperation, revive their bilateral Joint Commission and strengthen coordination within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), as both countries seek to bolster regional integration and trade in West Africa.
The commitment was reaffirmed during a meeting between Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, and Senegal’s Foreign Minister, Cheikh Niang, on the sidelines of the ECOWAS Mid-Year Summit in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Enikanolaiye praised the longstanding relationship between Africa’s two leading democracies and called for more direct engagement between their foreign ministries to enhance cooperation on shared regional and international priorities.
“Closer communication between our ministers, devoid of bureaucracy, will strengthen consultation and cooperation on issues of mutual interest,” he said.
The Nigerian minister also advocated the revival of the Nigeria-Senegal Joint Commission, describing it as a key mechanism for identifying new opportunities for collaboration and advancing the strategic interests of both nations.
While noting the strong political ties between Abuja and Dakar, Enikanolaiye stressed the need for greater economic engagement, arguing that diplomatic goodwill should translate into measurable benefits for citizens through increased trade, investment and commercial partnerships.
“The excellent political relations between our two countries should translate into economic benefits for our people,” he added.
Responding, Senegal’s Foreign Minister Cheikh Niang congratulated Enikanolaiye on his recent appointment and welcomed efforts to deepen bilateral cooperation. He also praised the Nigerian diplomat’s contributions during the ECOWAS Council of Ministers meeting, describing his interventions as “knowledge-based and expertise-driven.”
“These qualities are needed in our regional engagements,” Niang said, expressing confidence that closer collaboration would strengthen consultation on issues affecting both countries and the wider region.
The meeting comes at a time when ECOWAS is seeking to reinforce regional cooperation amid security, economic and political challenges across West Africa. As two influential members of the bloc, Nigeria and Senegal play significant roles in promoting regional stability, democratic governance and economic integration.
Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to building on decades of friendship through stronger diplomatic engagement, expanded economic cooperation and closer coordination within ECOWAS and other international forums, underscoring the importance of regional partnerships in advancing Africa’s development agenda.
