Astana, May 30, 2025 – Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Murat Nurtleu held a meeting with the Ooni of Ife Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi – one of Nigeria’s most respected traditional leaders and the spiritual head of the Yoruba people, who arrived in Kazakhstan on a visit and to participate in the Astana International Forum.

During the meeting, the interlocutors expressed mutual interest in strengthening the political dialogue between Kazakhstan and Nigeria. In this context, the meeting between President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and President of Nigeria Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which took place in January 2025 on the sidelines of the “Sustainability Week” Summit in Abu Dhabi, was noted.

“Kazakhstan and Nigeria have significant potential for mutually beneficial cooperation in the political, trade, economic, and cultural spheres. Today’s meeting marks the beginning of a good tradition and symbolizes a new stage in relations between Kazakhstan and the peoples and states of Africa, among which Nigeria holds a special place,” noted Minister Nurtleu.

In addition, the parties discussed prospects for expanding trade, economic and investment cooperation in such areas as agriculture, transport and logistics, digital technologies, and energy.

To this end, the importance of utilizing various interaction mechanisms was noted, such as the Kazakhstan-Nigeria Business Council, the institution of honorary consuls, people-to people contacts, and interaction between business communities of the two countries.

Following the talks, the importance of strengthening partnership relations was emphasized, and the readiness to continue joint work on the implementation of the reached agreements was confirmed.

The Kingdom of Ife, located in present-day Nigeria, is known for its rich history and cultural heritage. As one of the oldest kingdoms in Africa, Ife has long been considered the ancestral home of the Yoruba people and one of the centers of African civilization.

King Adeyeye Ogunwusi participated as a speaker in the special session “Kazakhstan – Africa: opening new horizons of cooperation,” which was organized for the first time on the sidelines of the Astana International Forum.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/1008657?lang=kk