9th Round Table Nigeria-Switzerland 2022

The relations between Nigeria and Switzerland have remained cordial since the two
countries established diplomatic ties in the 1960s. The two countries further heightened
their relations by signing a number of bilateral agreements. Some of the agreements earlier
signed include: Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) in 1980, Investment Promotion and
Protection Agreement (IPPA) in 2000; Protocol of Understanding on Migration Partnership,
14th February, 2011; Memorandum of Understanding on Establishment of an Annual
Process of Switzerland-Nigeria Bilateral Consultations; ‘Letter of intent on the Restitution of
Illegally-Acquired Assets’ forfeited in Switzerland in order to be awarded to the Federal
Republic of Nigeria; Memorandum of Understanding on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal
Matters, 2003; Mandate Agreement on Voluntary Offshore Assets Regularization Facility in
Switzerland.

The Nigeria-Switzerland Migration Partnership which is one of the most active MOUs
covers various areas of cooperation including capacity building for Nigerians, legal migration
and joint programmes on training and further education. Other areas covered by the MOU,
are Return Assistance Programme, Readmission and Reintegration Assistance, as well
as Fighting Human and Drug Trafficking. Nigeria continues to demonstrate strong
commitments towards agreements signed by both countries and stands to benefit
significantly from strengthening relations with Switzerland. The two countries have been
holding Bilateral Consultations annually since the coming into effect of the agreement. The
last of such meetings was held in Berne, Switzerland on 2nd – 4th December, 2019. Due to
COVID-19 pandemic, the Consultation could not hold in 2020.