The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Nigeria/Kenya Parliamentary Group, Abdullah El-Rasheed, has called for stronger collaboration between Nigeria and Kenya to harness the agricultural potential of the African continent. 

Speaking during a meeting with the Kenya High Commissioner to Nigeria, Amb. Isaac Parashina and El-Rasheed emphasised the importance of deepening bilateral ties between the two nations. 

He noted that since the formal establishment of diplomatic relations on May 28, 1964, Nigeria and Kenya have maintained a strong partnership based on shared values, mutual respect, and a common vision for peace and prosperity across Africa. 

El-Rasheed further highlighted that cooperation between both countries has continued to expand in various sectors, particularly in trade, investment, and mutual support on the global stage.

He said: “In January 2015, Kenya and Nigeria took significant steps to enhance bilateral ties by signing critical agreements that covered diverse sectors including tourism, agriculture, oil and gas, and trade.

“These agreements provided a solid foundation for greater collaboration from the exchange of goods such as Kenya’s tea and horticultural products to Nigeria’s petroleum products and cement.”

El-Rasheed said with the constitution of the Nigeria-Kenya Parliamentary Friendship Group and constant engagement with critical stakeholders across all sectors of governance and other critical economic sectors, Nigeria and Kenya are well-positioned to explore new opportunities for trade in areas of technology, renewable energy, tourism and other economic and developmental aspects that will define the future of our economies.

He said: “Despite the positive developments recorded since the establishment of our diplomatic relationship in 1964, we recognize that there are still challenges that we must overcome to unlock the full potential of this bilateral relationship, especially in terms of increasing trade volumes.

“As major stakeholders in this venture, we have a responsibility to continue fostering dialogue, addressing trade barriers, and facilitating greater understanding of each other’s economic landscapes. This will ensure that the potential of our countries’ vast resources is maximized for the benefit of our people.

“With the existence of these parliamentary friendship groups, the House of Representatives reaffirms Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening our ties with Kenya and ensuring that the opportunities we have identified continue to grow and translate into tangible benefits for both our together to build a future marked by greater economic collaboration, peace, and shared prosperity.

“The objectives and mandate of the Nigeria-Kenya Parliamentary Friendship Group cannot be achieved without an absolute and result-oriented collaboration with the Kenya High Commission to Nigeria.

“The High Commission stands at a strategic position to laying the foundation of this great initiative and as such the group will continuously and consistently reach out to the High Commission”.

In his remarks, the Kenyan High Commissioner to Nigeria said they are ready to foster collaboration with Nigeria in the area of textile, coffee, and agriculture, describing the collaboration as a welcomed development.