Ethiopia–Nigeria relations

Bilateral relations
Bilateral relations
Ethiopian–Nigerian relations
Map indicating locations of Ethiopia and Nigeria

Ethiopia
Nigeria
Diplomatic mission
Embassy of Ethiopia, AbujaEmbassy of Nigeria, Addis Ababa
Envoy
Ambassador of Ethiopia in Nigeria Azanaw Tadesse AbrehaAmbassador of Nigeria in Ethiopia

Ethiopian–Nigerian relations are bilateral relations between Ethiopia and Nigeria.

Origins

The relations between the two countries go back more than 50 years. Ethiopia opened an embassy in Lagos in 1961, before it was later transferred to Abuja. The establishment of diplomatic ties officially took place in 1964.[1]

History

Imperial era

In the 60s and 70s, military officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces came to Ethiopia and were trained by the Army of the Ethiopian Empire at the Harar Military Academy.[2]

Nigerian military regime and the Derg

By 1975, both Ethiopia and Nigeria were under military regimes who administered the government. Nigeria backed Ethiopia during the Ethiopian-Somali War, with the Obasanjo Administration backing the backed the call of Guinea (Conakry) for a demilitarized zone at the point of contact.[3]

Modern era

In December 2017, the Ethio-Nigeria Joint Ministerial Commission was held after 10 years in Abuja.[4]

State visits

Ethiopia to Nigeria

  • Emperor Haile Selassie (14 April 1966)[5]
  • Emperor Haile Selassie (18-23 January 1972)[6][7]
  • Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (25 May 2022)[8]

Nigeria to Ethiopia

  • President Muhammadu Buhari (7-8 February 2020)[1]
  • President Muhammadu Buhari (3 – 6 October 2021)[9]

Diplomatic missions

  • Ethiopia maintains an embassy in Abuja.[10]
  • Nigeria maintains an embassy in Addis Ababa.[11]

References

  1. ^ a b Nlebem, Anthony (2020-02-12). "Nigeria and Ethiopia deepen cooperation, with Visa waver, others". Businessday NG. Retrieved 2023-03-27.
  2. ^ Webmaster (2017-03-11). "Time to boost 'weak' Nigeria-Ethiopia trade ties – Envoy". Daily Trust. Retrieved 2023-03-27.
  3. ^ Fasehun, Orobola (1982). "Nigeria and the Ethiopia-Somalia Conflict: A Case Study of Continuity in Nigerian Foreign Policy". Africa Spectrum. 17 (2): 183–193. ISSN 0002-0397.
  4. ^ "Ethiopia, Nigeria Fostering Mechanisms of Cooperation, Says Nigerian Ambassador". ENA English. Retrieved 2023-03-27.
  5. ^ Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie Meets Ironsi, Gowon and Ojukwu | April 1966, retrieved 2023-03-27
  6. ^ "AP". newsroom.ap.org. Retrieved 2023-03-26.
  7. ^ Emperor Haile Selassie Arrives For a State Visit To Nigeria | Welcomed By General Gowon | Jan. 1972, retrieved 2023-03-27
  8. ^ Nigeria, Ethiopia to Hold Bilateral Talks on Trade, Economy, Politics, retrieved 2023-03-27
  9. ^ "Buhari lands in Addis Ababa for Ethiopia PM inauguration". Punch Newspapers. 2021-10-04. Retrieved 2023-03-27.
  10. ^ "Diplomatic Relations between the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and African Countries". www.mfa.gov.et. Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ethiopia). Retrieved 15 February 2023.
  11. ^ "Embassy of Nigeria to Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Permanent Mission of the Federal Republic to Nigeria to the African Union and UNECA". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria. Retrieved 25 February 2022.