On Thursday, September 3, 2026, The Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Nigeria, His Excellency Ambassador Gholamreza Mahdavi Raja, has called for the strengthening and revitalisation of bilateral trade and commercial relations between Nigeria and Iran.
The Ambassador made the call when he hosted the Iyaloja-General of Nigeria, Chief Dr. Mujidat Folasade Tinubu-Ojo, to a diplomatic lunch at his official residence in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, following an invitation extended to the the Iyaloja-General.
Upon her arrival, Chief Dr. Mujidat Folasade Tinubu-Ojo was personally received and ushered in by Ambassador Raja, who led her to the dining area where he showcased a variety of rich Iranian local delicacies. The Ambassador also explained the recipes, ingredients and traditional methods used in preparing the dishes, providing an opportunity for cultural exchange alongside the diplomatic engagement.
During the lunch, both parties explored opportunities for expanding economic cooperation and strengthening trade relations between Nigeria and Iran.
Ambassador Raja expressed concern over what he described as the relatively low level of bilateral trade between the two countries, stressing the need for deliberate efforts to revive and expand commercial activities between Nigeria and Iran. He sought the input and support of the Iyaloja-General, as well as relevant ministries, departments and agencies of the Nigerian Government, towards creating new avenues for mutually beneficial economic cooperation.
The Ambassador highlighted several areas in which Iran is prepared to collaborate with Nigeria, including the supply of food-processing machinery, agricultural equipment, pharmaceutical equipment, cancer diagnosis and treatment equipment, construction machinery and medical appliances.
He further identified the establishment of gas-cylinder and CNG manufacturing plants in Nigeria, as well as vocational training centres in strategic locations across the country, among the areas with significant prospects for bilateral cooperation.
Ambassador Raja appealed to Chief Dr. Mujidat Folasade Tinubu-Ojo to leverage her leadership and extensive network within Nigeria’s trading and business community to help rejuvenate economic relations between the two countries.
Responding, the Iyaloja-General thanked Ambassador Raja for the invitation, the warm hospitality and the thoughtful diplomatic engagement. She welcomed the issues raised and pledged to explore every legitimate avenue within her reach towards promoting stronger trade and economic relations between Nigeria and Iran.
Chief Dr. Mujidat Folasade Tinubu-Ojo also sought clarification from the Ambassador on commodities produced in substantial commercial quantities in Nigeria that could meet demand in the Iranian market.
In response, Ambassador Raja identified cocoa pods, sesame seeds, cashew nuts, garlic, ginger, shea butter, charcoal and several other Nigerian raw materials as commodities with potential for export to Iran.
The Iyaloja-General subsequently pledged to engage relevant government ministries, departments and agencies, as well as stakeholders within the Nigerian business community, to explore practical ways of increasing trade flows and reviving economic cooperation between the two countries.
The meeting ended on a convivial note, with both parties briefly exchanging views on salient issues concerning Nigeria’s political and socio-economic landscape.
The diplomatic engagement underscores the importance of expanding people-to-people and business-to-business relations while exploring new opportunities for mutually beneficial trade and investment between Nigeria and Iran.
God bless the Islamic Republic of Iran.
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
God bless you.
Prince Emmanuel Odunayo Ikusagba
SSA, Media and Strategic Communication
Office of the Iyaloja-General
