Celebrating Nigeria Independence Day: Nigeria - Thai Diplomatic Relationship

Nigeria Independence Day

Nigeria’s Independence Day, celebrated on October 1st, marks the end of British colonial rule and the establishment of an independent Nigerian nation. The journey towards independence began in the 16th century with the arrival of Spanish and Portuguese explorers, leading to trade with local communities and the establishment of key port towns like Lagos. In the late 19th century, the British Empire began to exert influence over the region through the Royal Niger Company, which led to the formation of modern Nigeria’s borders in 1914. The country became a federation in 1954, under British Colonial rule, with the expressed intention of keeping together the diverse groups that had been huddled to create a semblance of unified nation. The call for independence grew stronger in the mid-20th century, culminating in Nigeria being granted independence on October 1st, 1960. The country initially adopted a parliamentary government system and later became a federal republic with a new constitution on October 1st, 1963. Despite periods of military rule, democracy was eventually restored.

Today, Nigeria is a vibrant nation known for its 500 languages spoken across 36 states by over 250 ethnic groups, the dominant of which are the Hausa-Fulani, Igbo and Yoruba. The Nigerian flag symbolizes this aspiration, with green representing agricultural lands and white symbolizing the people’s commitment to peace and unity. Nigerian Independence Day stands as a poignant reminder of the significance of togetherness, embracing diversity, and striving for a better future for every citizen, regardless of their origins. It serves as a call to united effort in tackling the forthcoming hurdles collectively.

61 Years of Diplomatic Friendship - Bilateral Relationship between Thailand and Nigeria

In 2022, Thailand and Nigeria celebrated the 60th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations, which began in 1962. Over the years, both countries have maintained cordial relations and have supported each other in various international forums. On this significant anniversary, both nations agreed to enhance cooperation in several fields, including trade and investment, energy and renewable energy, gemstones, mining, and agriculture. Nigeria ranks as Thailand’s fourth trading partner in Africa and is a major exporter of crude oil, natural gas, and gemstones to Thailand. One significant aspect of this bilateral agreement is the focus on rice production. The Thai Commerce Minister and the Nigerian Minister for Commerce and Industry discussed a Bilateral Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA) primarily involving agricultural development. Nigeria is a primary importer of Thai rice worldwide.

The agreement also includes the exporting of oil and gas to Thailand. These agreements reflect the mutual economic development interests of both countries and their commitment to strengthening their bilateral relations.

In 2023, trade between Thailand and Nigeria continued to grow. Thailand exported goods worth $311M to Nigeria, with the main products being Propylene Polymers ($30.5M), Ethylene Polymers ($29.3M), and Aluminium Plating ($24.4M). Over the last 26 years, exports from Thailand to Nigeria have increased at an annualized rate of 6.7%, from $57.6M in 1995 to $311M in 2021.

On the other hand, Nigeria exported goods worth $1.09B to Thailand in 2021. The main products exported from Nigeria to Thailand were Crude Petroleum ($669M), Petroleum Gas ($395M), and Tin Ores ($17.7M). Over the last 26 years, exports from Nigeria to Thailand have increased at an annualized rate of 17.4%, from $17.1M in 1995 to $1.09B in 2021.

In terms of similarities, both Nigeria and Thailand are tropical countries with similar vegetation and agricultural products. Nigeria boasts a wide variety of natural attractions that mirror some of those found in Thailand, including extensive sandy beaches, forests, mountains, rivers, plateaus, and valleys. These shared characteristics further strengthen the bond between these two nations.

By Mr. Sarawut Thiramanit, Dr. Prachaya Suwanhirunkul

Enterprise Thailand