Tinubu Leads Nigerian Team to 11th Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission

Cape Town Hosts Tinubu-Led Delegation for Nigeria-South Africa Talks

“His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, will lead Nigeria's delegation to the Meeting.”

President Tinubu leads the Nigerian team to the 11th Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission meeting, set to take place in Cape Town, South Africa.

President Bola Tinubu is set to lead Nigeria's delegation to the 11th session of the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) meeting in Cape Town, South Africa. The meeting, scheduled to take place from November 28 to December 3, 2024, aims to strengthen bilateral relations between Nigeria and South Africa.

The Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission was established to foster collaboration between the two nations in key areas, including *Defense and Security*, *Science and Technology*, *Education and Culture*, *Manufacturing*, and *Energy*. This commission provides a platform for both countries to work together, share knowledge, and drive growth in these critical sectors.

By attending the BNC meeting, President Tinubu will have the opportunity to engage with South African leaders, discuss pressing issues, and explore new avenues for cooperation. This meeting is expected to yield positive outcomes for both nations, further solidifying their bilateral relationship.

The statement, signed by Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, Acting Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja, reads: “His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, will lead Nigeria's delegation to the Meeting.”

Although President Tinubu departed for France on a three-day official visit on Wednesday, November 27, he is expected to join the Nigerian delegation in Cape Town. In his absence, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, will lead the Ministry of Foreign Affairs delegation to the Ministerial Meeting of the BNC.

During their time in Cape Town, the Nigerian delegation will participate in several key meetings, including the Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) from November 28 to 30, 2024, the Ministerial Meeting on December 2, and the BNC (Presidential) Meeting on December 3, 2024. These meetings aim to strengthen bilateral relations between Nigeria and South Africa, exploring new areas of economic, trade, and investment cooperation.

“The 11th Session of the BNC will among others provide a framework for collaborative and cooperative efforts to bring Africa into the mainstream of global political, social and economic developments; afford the governments and private sectors of both countries to consult each other on their respective economies and investment climates to promote trade and industry; improve bilateral relations in the field of technology, education, health, culture, youth, and sports; utilize the generous endowments of both countries to maximize socio-economic development, through economies of scale, global competitiveness, and specialization; and establish the mechanisms for putting the benefits of economic cooperation to the service of peace, stability, social integration and economic development in other parts of the continent,” the statement further stated.