President Bola Tinubu met with his Sierra Leonean counterpart, Julius Bio, at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja on Monday. The meeting aimed to strengthen the diplomatic ties between Nigeria and Sierra Leone.
Bio arrived at the villa’s forecourt at 12:22 pm, accompanied by the bagpipers of the Presidential Guards Brigade. He was received by Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, who ushered him into the closed-door meeting.
Nigeria and Sierra Leone have maintained strong diplomatic relations since gaining independence in 1960 and 1961, respectively. Both nations are active members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union.
The two countries have collaborated on initiatives promoting peace, stability, and development in the region. Between 1991 and 2002, Nigeria played a crucial role in supporting Sierra Leone during its civil war.
Nigeria led the ECOWAS Monitoring Group in peacekeeping efforts to restore stability in the region. Nigerian forces also helped combat rebel factions and reinstated the democratically elected government of President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah after a military coup in 1997.
The United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) was deployed in 1999 to assist in disarmament and peace-building processes. The mission helped stabilize the country and paved the way for Sierra Leone’s recovery.
Despite the strong diplomatic ties, trade between Nigeria and Sierra Leone has fluctuated in recent years. In 2023, Nigeria’s exports to Sierra Leone were valued at approximately $5.55 million.
The primary exports from Nigeria to Sierra Leone included fertilizers, electrical equipment, and glassware. In contrast, Sierra Leone’s main exports to Nigeria included animal and vegetable fats, machinery, and rubber products.
