Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has held talks with Japan’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Suzuki Hideo, to strengthen bilateral relations and explore new opportunities in investment, technology and infrastructure.
The Ambassador paid a courtesy visit to the Governor at Lagos House in Marina, accompanied by Ademola Oshodi, Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Timubu on foreign policy and protocol.
Governor Sanwo-Olu highlighted Lagos’s pivotal role as a hub for Japanese firms, voicing keen interest in collaborations across culture, fashion and entertainment.
“We had a good discussion on strengthening the relationship between Lagos and Japan, particularly in the areas of investment, technology, and infrastructure,” he wrote on his X account (formerly Twitter).
The Governor pointed to potential initiatives that could directly benefit young people in the state.
In his remarks, Ambassador Suzuki described Lagos as “a commercial hub not only for Nigeria but also for the entire West Africa region”, noting the strong presence of Japanese companies in motorcycles, automobiles, concessions, trading and logistics.
He emphasised Japan’s recognition of Lagos’s growth as Africa’s third-largest economy and the scope for partnership with the world’s third-largest economy.
In an interview, presidential aide Oshodi said “Japan is very competent in the automobile industry, technology, and infrastructure, and of course, the Japan International Cooperation Agency is in partnership with the Federal Government in the area of agriculture and other sectors.”
NewsQuest reports that discussions during the meeting underscore a decade-old relationship between Nigeria and Japan, with both sides seeking to deepen economic and developmental ties.
