Bilateral trade between the Philippines and Nigeria has surpassed $100 million, according to the Philippine Ambassador to Nigeria, Meresole Mellejor.
Speaking during the 126th anniversary celebration of Philippine independence in Abuja, Mellejor highlighted the robust and long-standing relationship between the two countries, which has been steadily growing since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1962.
“The Philippines recorded the highest bilateral trade with Nigeria in 2020, prior to the COVID-19 era,” Mellejor noted. This milestone was achieved despite the geographical distance and an 18-hour flight time between the two nations.
The ambassador stated the significance of bilateral agreements and ongoing negotiations aimed at fostering mutually beneficial outcomes. The Philippines and Nigeria hold a regular Joint Commission Meeting between their respective Ministries of Foreign Affairs, which is set to resume this year after being temporarily halted due to the pandemic.
The ambassador also mentioned the vital role played by Filipinos in Nigeria. “At its peak before the global financial crisis in 2009, there were an estimated 8,000 Filipinos in Nigeria, mostly professionals in various capacities.
Now estimated to be around 3,000, the number is rising again as we emerge from the global pandemic,” he said. These professionals are employed across various sectors, including oil, industrial states, factories, and the services sector.
Mellejor expressed gratitude to Nigeria for welcoming and hosting Filipino nationals, noting the continuous flow of tourists and the steady growth in bilateral trade as indicators of the strong relationship between the two countries.
