President Bola Tinubu is set to depart from France on Monday for Cape Town, South Africa, where he will co-chair the 11th session of the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission alongside President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The presidential commission is scheduled for Tuesday, December 3, following a ministerial meeting on December 2 at the South African Parliament Building in Cape Town, as revealed by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement on Sunday.
During the meeting, President Tinubu and President Ramaphosa will engage in substantive talks on various issues of mutual interest, covering bilateral, regional, and international matters.
The 11th session of the BNC will see discussions across eight working groups focusing on areas such as political consultations, consular and migration, banking and finance, defense and security, manufacturing, social sector, mines and energy, and trade and investments. The meeting will also involve the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements between officials of both countries.
The Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission, established in 1999, aims to strengthen friendship and cooperation between the two nations. This year’s meeting is particularly significant as it coincides with the 25th anniversary of the Commission, showcasing enduring friendship and cooperation between Nigeria and South Africa.
President Tinubu will be accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising state governors, ministers, and senior government officials. He is expected to return to Nigeria following the BNC meeting.
Prior to his upcoming engagement in Cape Town, President Tinubu has been on a state visit to France where he met with President Emmanuel Macron. During the meeting, both countries signed several deals, further strengthening the bilateral relationship.