Antigua and Barbuda to deepen relations with Nigeria

Antigua and Barbuda and Nigeria have expressed a desire to strengthen the
relations that currently exist between Africa’s most populous country and the twin-
island Caribbean state.
That was the central theme in meetings held between Prime Minister Gaston
Browne and Nigeria’s Director of Economics, Trade and Investment in the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Akinremi Bolaji, who was in St. John’s
as part of the high-level delegation that just concluded a visit, arriving by air
aboard the Nigerian airline, Air Peace.
Speaking with Point Express newspaper following the meeting, Ambassador
Bolaji said both the Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, E.P Chet
Greene, with whom he met separately, were keen to have stronger ties with
Nigeria.
“In our discussion, the prime minister mentioned the issue of the investment
protection agreement which we need to initiate, and we need to also get it running.
He also mentioned the issue of double taxation. This, to me, was very important as
the prime minister has suggested to me that when I return to Nigeria, we should
begin to work assiduously to establish direct diplomatic relations between St.
John’s and Abuja,” he reported.
He explained that the Nigerian embassy in Jamaica currently has jurisdiction over
Antigua and Barbuda. However, according to Ambassador Bolaji, the growing ties
between the two countries necessitate that there be more direct links.
“Antigua and Barbuda is warming up to closer relations so it can start by having a
diplomatic mission established in Nigeria and as the relationship develops, we can
see about having our presence in St. John’s,” he stated.
Prime Minister Browne has hinted that he is open to establishing a mission in the
Nigerian capital, to foster closer ties with Africa’s economic giant.