Nigeria and Switzerland have agreed to strengthen bilateral relations across trade, economic cooperation, skills acquisition, migration, security and cultural exchange, with Bern also pledging to return Benin bronzes and artefacts to Nigeria.

The development followed a meeting between Vice President Kashim Shettima and his Swiss counterpart, Mr. Ignazio Cassis, at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, yesterday.

Speaking to journalists after the closed-door meeting, Cassis, who also serves as Switzerland’s Foreign Minister, said both countries discussed a wide range of issues, including the possibility of a free trade agreement involving Nigeria and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

“We are considering improving our bilateral relations. We are considering to analyse the opportunity of making a free trade agreement with the AfCFTA family and Nigeria. Secondly, we are working together very much in diplomatic efforts to address the many different conflicts in the North Eastern part of Nigeria,” he said.

According to a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, Cassis added that Switzerland would continue to support vocational training initiatives in Nigeria, noting that Swiss companies operating in the country are helping to equip young people with skills needed for employment and peaceful coexistence.

“Thirdly, we are contributing to vocational training in Nigeria, with the Swiss companies in Nigeria creating the best conditions for young people to peacefully live together by being skilled enough to have jobs for the future,” Cassis stated.

The Swiss Vice President also highlighted ongoing collaboration in migration management and cultural exchange, including plans to restitute cultural materials to Nigeria.

“We also have cooperation in migration issue, and every year, we are meeting together, where we explore every facet of this cooperation,” he added.

On cultural ties, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, disclosed that Switzerland had agreed to return Benin bronzes and artefacts to Nigeria, describing the move as a significant step in strengthening cultural relations.

“There was a general assurance that we need to strengthen the relationship between the two countries not just when it comes to business but also cultural aspect of the relationship.

“So, there are Benin bronzes that are going to be returned from Switzerland. He informed the Vice President that the Swiss Minister of Culture will be visiting Nigeria shortly, and this was something that was highly appreciated,” Tuggar said.

He noted that the discussions also covered Swiss investments and business opportunities in Nigeria, with Cassis expected to proceed to Lagos to engage with private sector stakeholders.

Tuggar further described the engagement as a continuation of longstanding diplomatic relations between both countries, which date back to 1961.

Vice President Shettima, according to the minister, welcomed the outcomes of the meeting and reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to sustaining engagement with Switzerland, including continued participation in the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos.

Cassis, who was accompanied by his spouse, Paola Rodoni Cassis, had earlier commended Nigeria’s consistent presence at the WEF and congratulated the country on the recent commissioning of the Nigeria House in Davos.

Other members of the Swiss delegation included Director of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, Ambassador Patricia Danzig; Head of the Africa Division at Switzerland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Philip Stalder; Head of the Peace and Human Rights Division, Ambassador Tim Enderlin; and Swiss Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Patrick Egloff, among others. (The Nation)

•PHOTO: Vice President Kashim Shettima and his Swiss counterpart, Mr. Ignazio Cassis, at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport