In a major move to strengthen historic alliances and foster regional integration, Nigeria and The Gambia have committed to deepening their bilateral relations.

This was the focus of a high-profile meeting between Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, and his Gambian counterpart, His Excellency Sering Modou Njie, held on Wednesday on the sidelines of the ECOWAS Mid-Year Summit in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

?During the discussions, Ambassador Enikanolaiye commended the long-standing, excellent relations between the two West African nations.

He expressed Nigeria’s determination to enhance these brotherly ties and explore fresh avenues of cooperation to drive mutual economic and social benefits.

?Responding, the Gambian Foreign Minister congratulated Ambassador Enikanolaiye on his appointment and praised Nigeria’s enduring leadership role in the sub-region.

Minister Njie noted that the government and people of The Gambia remain profoundly grateful to Nigeria for its decisive intervention during the country’s 2017 political crisis.

He credited the current political stability and development in The Gambia to Nigeria’s timely support, calling it a historic gesture that remains indelible in his nation's memory.

?The Gambian diplomat also praised Nigeria's sustained developmental and security assistance over the decades.

Specifically, he highlighted the impactful deployment of Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (TAC) volunteers who continue to bolster capacity in The Gambia's educational, medical, and legal sectors.

He further acknowledged Nigeria’s strategic military support, including troops contributed to the ECOMIG forces and the training of Gambian officers in Nigerian military academies.

?Reaffirming Nigeria's broader foreign policy objectives, Ambassador Enikanolaiye emphasized Abuja’s commitment to promoting Pan-African unity, solidarity, and development.

He noted that the TAC scheme remains a vital instrument through which Nigeria deploys highly qualified professionals, upon request, to support human capital development across African and Caribbean nations.

?To turn these commitments into immediate action, both ministers agreed to resuscitate the dormant Nigeria-Gambia Joint Commission. The revival of this bilateral platform will allow both countries to review old agreements, address contemporary challenges, and map out strategic new areas of economic and political cooperation.