Shettima Dey find Strategic Reset for Nigeria-Thailand Relationship way go pass  Oil and Rice!

Reported by Musa Antiketu|Jounalist at Obaland Magazine

Vice President Kashim Shettima don call for strategic expansion for Nigeria relationship with Thailand, make de too countries pass  beyond traditional areas like crude oil and rice, go beta cooperation for technology, agriculture, commerce, renewable energy and investment.

Shettima make the call on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, when e receive Thai delegation for Abuja wen Nigeria and Thailand dey explore opportunities to broaden their bilateral partnership.

As President Bola Ahmed Tinubu representative, the Vice President talk say Nigeria relationship with Thailand suppose evolve from normal transactions to more comprehensive economic partnership wey fit deliver investment, technology transfer and sustainable development.

“I believe say our relationship suppose go beyond transactions for crude oil, rice production and so on,” Shettima talk, dey stress the need for de two governments to review their bilateral relationship for strategic level.

E highlight Nigeria large consumer market, young population and workforce, as well as natural resources, as factors wey fit make the country attractive for Thai investors.

According to the Vice President, areas like agriculture, information and communications technology, renewable energy and solid minerals get significant opportunities for deeper Nigeria-Thailand cooperation.

The discussions dey come as Thailand dey seek to strengthen im engagement with Africa through the proposed Thailand-Africa Initiative, wey dey designed to expand political, economic and development cooperation between Thailand and African countries.

Thailand Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sihasak Phuangketkeow, don describe Nigeria as strategic partner and important gateway for strengthening Thailand engagement with West Africa. Thailand Foreign Ministry talk say the two countries dey also seek expanded cooperation for trade, investment, manufacturing, energy, agriculture, digital technology and services.

The Thai government don further show im interest for strengthening private-sector connections between the two countries, including through cooperation between chambers of commerce. One Thailand-Nigeria Business Forum dey scheduled to happen for Lagos on August 27, wey go provide opportunity for Thai businesses to check investment opportunities for Nigeria.

Agriculture still dey important component of the emerging partnership. Thailand get plenty experience for agricultural technology and rice production, while Nigeria dey continue to seek greater productivity, mechanisation, processing capacity and investment across im agricultural value chains.

The two countries don previously pursue agricultural cooperation, including initiatives wey focus on sustainable agricultural technology and knowledge exchange. Thailand Foreign Ministry talk say the Thailand-Nigerian Sustainable Agricultural Technology Learning Centre project for Enugu fit potentially expand into other areas of cooperation.

For Nigeria, broader relationship with Thailand fit provide opportunities to attract investment and technical expertise while supporting the country efforts to diversify im economy and reduce excessive dependence on traditional commodities.

But, to turn the renewed diplomatic interest into measurable economic benefits go depend on the implementation of concrete agreements, private-sector participation, technology transfer and investment wey go produce sustainable value within Nigeria.

The latest engagement therefore dey show say Abuja and Bangkok dey try reposition their relationship around wider range of economic and development priorities instead of make bilateral trade dey concentrated on small number of commodities.