His Excellency, the Vice President of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shettima, GCON, undertook a significant working visit to Sweden from 16-19 October 2024, aimed at deepening bilateral relations and exploring new avenues for collaboration between Nigeria and Sweden.
During the visit, His Excellency Vice President Shettima engaged in high-level discussions with key Swedish government officials, including HRH Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. The talks were centered around enhancing cooperation in strategic areas such as ICT, innovation, education, digitalisation, sustainable transport, mining, and agriculture.
The Vice President also engaged with stakeholders from the Swedish government and private sector, where he articulated Nigeria’s economic vision and ongoing reforms designed to foster a more business-friendly environment. He highlighted the immense opportunities available in Nigeria, particularly in the MSME sector, renewable energy, and digital innovation.
At a business forum in Stockholm, several Swedish investors committed to multi-million-dollar projects in Nigeria. Ericsson announced a $19 million investment to build a technology hub in Nigeria, while Gluwa pledged $100 million towards tech development and MSME growth. His Excellency Vice President Shettima emphasized that these partnerships would accelerate economic growth and reinforce Nigeria’s global competitiveness.
Additionally, Vice President Shettima visited Scania’s headquarters in Södertälje, where discussions focused on green transport solutions to modernize Nigeria’s transportation sector, aligning with the government’s agenda for cleaner and more efficient transport systems.
The visit also featured the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Nigeria and Ericsson for the development of a 5G Innovation Lab, aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s technological capabilities and positioning the country as a leader in the global 5G revolution.
His Excellency, Vice President Shettima was accompanied by a high-level Nigerian delegation, which included:
• Barr. Caleb Mutfwang, Governor of Plateau State
• Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, Minister of Foreign Affairs
• Mr. Aliyu Mahmud, Chargé d’Affaires, Nigerian Embassy in Sweden
• Mallam Kashifu Abdullahi, Director-General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA)
• Engr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC)
• Mallam Khalil Suleiman Halilu, Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI)
