By Faith Anisiobi, The Sight News
Nigeria and Mali have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and enhancing cooperation in addressing security and development challenges confronting the Sahel and West Africa.
The commitment was made during a bilateral meeting between Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and Mali’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Abdoulaye Diop, on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA81) in New York.
The meeting provided an opportunity for both countries to strengthen political consultations and exchange views on developments in Mali, the Sahel and the wider West African region.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu reaffirmed Nigeria’s longstanding historical ties with Mali and stressed Nigeria’s interest in a stable, peaceful and prosperous Sahel.
She noted that the security challenges confronting the region required sustained cooperation among neighbouring countries, given the cross-border nature of terrorism, violent extremism, organized crime, trafficking, arms proliferation and illicit financial flows.
The minister also emphasized the importance of African ownership of solutions to the continent’s peace and security challenges, while encouraging continued dialogue between Mali, West African countries and regional institutions.
The discussions covered Mali’s evolving relationship with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), African Union peace and security mechanisms, regional integration, bilateral trade and economic relations, as well as mobility and people-to-people contacts.
The two ministers also explored opportunities to deepen bilateral economic cooperation and strengthen relations between the peoples of Nigeria and Mali.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to maintain constructive bilateral consultations with Mali and expressed interest in continued cooperation at the multilateral level, including mutual support for Nigeria’s multilateral candidatures.
The engagement comes against the backdrop of Nigeria’s efforts to promote regional dialogue and cooperation on peace, security and integration.
In July 2026, Nigeria and Mali agreed to revitalise their Joint Commission, identifying security, trade, energy, irregular migration, human trafficking and the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) among priority areas for bilateral cooperation.
Nigeria, the statement said, remains committed to strengthening regional cooperation and supporting peaceful, African-led responses to the interconnected security and development challenges facing West Africa and the Sahel.
