Nigeria’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Kingdom of Spain, Ambassador Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, has continued his diplomatic engagements in Madrid with a series of high-level meetings aimed at strengthening Africa–Europe relations, expanding bilateral cooperation and promoting sustainable economic development.
The engagements began with the Ambassadors’ Breakfast Meeting at the Diplomatic School in Madrid, where ambassadors and senior officials examined Spain’s Africa Strategy 2025–2028 and discussed new opportunities for cooperation between Spain and African nations.
During the meeting, Ambassador Ikpeazu held discussions with Spain’s Ambassador-at-Large for Global Health, Mencía Manso de Zúñiga, and Ambassador-at-Large for Migration Affairs, María del Pilar Méndez Jiménez. Their conversations focused on migration, public health, sustainable development and strengthening strategic partnerships between Europe and Africa.
Addressing participants, Ambassador Ikpeazu advocated a development-driven approach to migration, arguing that addressing poverty, unemployment and limited economic opportunities across Africa remains the most effective way to reduce irregular migration.
He stressed that Africa should no longer be viewed merely as a supplier of raw materials but as a continent with enormous industrial and economic potential capable of driving global growth.
According to the Nigerian envoy, investments in industrialisation, value addition and manufacturing across Africa would create employment, strengthen productive capacity and encourage young Africans to build their futures at home.
He also highlighted Nigeria’s ongoing economic reforms, noting that they present significant opportunities for mutually beneficial partnerships between Africa and Europe.
Later in the day, Ambassador Ikpeazu paid a courtesy visit to Morocco’s Ambassador to Spain, Karima Benyaich, where both diplomats discussed strengthening bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and Morocco as well as Africa’s evolving relationship with the international community.
Their discussions covered migration, climate change, regional integration and expanding economic opportunities between both countries.
Ambassador Ikpeazu commended the growing partnership between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco, particularly in agriculture and the Nigeria–Morocco Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline Project, which he described as a transformative initiative capable of boosting regional energy security, accelerating industrialisation and strengthening economic integration across Africa and Europe.
He maintained that sustainable development remains the most effective long-term solution to irregular migration, calling for deeper cooperation in industrial development, skills acquisition, entrepreneurship and investment in productive sectors.
Both ambassadors also agreed on the need to encourage safe and regular migration pathways while supporting education, vocational training and youth empowerment across the continent.
Ambassador Ikpeazu later met with Angola’s Ambassador to Spain, Balbina Malheiros Dias da Silva, where discussions centred on expanding cooperation between Nigeria and Angola, particularly in the oil and gas sector, regional economic integration and Africa’s energy future.
The meeting also focused on the importance of African unity amid evolving global geopolitical realities.
Ambassador Ikpeazu observed that the changing international landscape requires African countries to strengthen solidarity, deepen regional cooperation and adopt a more coordinated approach in advancing the continent’s interests on the global stage.
He noted that peace, economic integration and sustainable development remain essential pillars for Africa’s long-term prosperity and competitiveness.
The series of engagements forms part of Ambassador Ikpeazu’s ongoing diplomatic outreach since assuming office in Madrid and reflects Nigeria’s commitment to economic diplomacy, stronger bilateral partnerships and a foreign policy anchored on sustainable development, regional cooperation and inclusive prosperity.
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