Ethiopia–Nigeria relations explained

Filetype:	svg
Size:	300px
Mission1:	Embassy of Ethiopia, Abuja
Mission2:	Embassy of Nigeria, Addis Ababa
Envoy1:	Azanaw Tadesse Abreha
Envoytitle1:	Ambassador of Ethiopia in Nigeria
Envoytitle2:	Ambassador of Nigeria in Ethiopia

Ethiopian–Nigerian relations are bilateral relations between Ethiopia and Nigeria.

Origins

The relations between the two countries go back more than 50 years. Ethiopia opened an embassy in Lagos in 1961, before it was later transferred to Abuja. The establishment of diplomatic ties officially took place in 1964.^[1]

History

Imperial era

In the 60s and 70s, military officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces came to Ethiopia and were trained by the Army of the Ethiopian Empire at the Harar Military Academy.^[2]

Nigerian military regime and the Derg

By 1975, both Ethiopia and Nigeria were under military regimes who administered the government. Nigeria backed Ethiopia during the Ethiopian-Somali War, with the Obasanjo Administration backing the backed the call of Guinea (Conakry) for a demilitarized zone at the point of contact.^[3]

Modern era

In December 2017, the Ethio-Nigeria Joint Ministerial Commission was held after 10 years in Abuja.^[4]

State visits

Ethiopia to Nigeria

• Emperor Haile Selassie (14 April 1966)
• Emperor Haile Selassie (18-23 January 1972)^[5]
• Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (25 May 2022)

Nigeria to Ethiopia

• President Muhammadu Buhari (7-8 February 2020)
• President Muhammadu Buhari (3 – 6 October 2021)^[6]

Diplomatic missions

• Ethiopia maintains an embassy in Abuja.^[7]
• Nigeria maintains an embassy in Addis Ababa.^[8]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Nlebem . Anthony . 2020-02-12 . Nigeria and Ethiopia deepen cooperation, with Visa waver, others . 2023-03-27 . Businessday NG . en-US.
2. Web site: Webmaster . 2017-03-11 . Time to boost ‘weak’ Nigeria-Ethiopia trade ties – Envoy . 2023-03-27 . Daily Trust . en-GB.
3. Fasehun . Orobola . 1982 . Nigeria and the Ethiopia-Somalia Conflict: A Case Study of Continuity in Nigerian Foreign Policy . Africa Spectrum . 17 . 2 . 183–193 . 0002-0397.
4. Web site: Ethiopia, Nigeria Fostering Mechanisms of Cooperation, Says Nigerian Ambassador . 2023-03-27 . ENA English . en-US.
5. Web site: AP . 2023-03-26 . newsroom.ap.org.
6. Web site: 2021-10-04 . Buhari lands in Addis Ababa for Ethiopia PM inauguration . 2023-03-27 . Punch Newspapers . en-US.
7. Web site: Diplomatic Relations between the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and African Countries . . www.mfa.gov.et . 15 February 2023.
8. Web site: Embassy of Nigeria to Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Permanent Mission of the Federal Republic to Nigeria to the African Union and UNECA . Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria . 25 February 2022.