Nigeria and Saudi Arabia have reaffirmed their commitment to expanding bilateral economic cooperation through increased investment, trade and collaboration in the global halal economy during a two-day exhibition held in Abuja.

The exhibition, organised by Al-Yaro International Limited in collaboration with the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), took place at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre and brought together government officials, investors and business stakeholders from both countries.

Participants explored opportunities across trade, investment, tourism, Hajj and Umrah services, agriculture, healthcare, manufacturing, logistics and other sectors aimed at strengthening economic ties.

Representing Vice President Kashim Shettima, the Special Assistant on Export Expansion, Aliyu Sheriff, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to deepening economic relations with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through greater investment, trade and development of the global halal economy.

He described the exhibition as a timely platform for promoting diaspora-led economic partnerships, export diversification and private sector-driven growth under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Sheriff said Nigeria is positioning itself as Africa’s gateway by leveraging opportunities created by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

“Diaspora-led bridges are very important in connecting buyers and sellers. It is quite impressive to see Saudi investors come to Nigeria to see what we have, while also presenting what they have. We will do everything we can to ensure these linkages are sustained,” he stated.

He disclosed that the Federal Government is implementing a National Halal Economy Strategy aimed at positioning Nigeria as Africa’s leading hub in the global halal market, covering agriculture, livestock, food processing, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, logistics and Islamic finance.

According to Sheriff, government efforts are focused on strengthening regulatory standards, certification systems, financing mechanisms and infrastructure to attract investors while supporting businesses through relevant ministries, departments and agencies.

He also commended NiDCOM and Al-Yaro International Limited for promoting people-to-people diplomacy and commercial partnerships, expressing confidence that the exhibition would generate concrete investments and strengthen long-term economic cooperation between both countries.

“Nigeria is already working on a strategy for the halal economy. We need to tap into the global halal market, take advantage of AfCFTA and maximise the 1.3 billion consumers that we have so Nigeria can serve as a gateway to Africa and beyond,” he disclosed.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, praised the Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM for advancing the welfare of Nigerians abroad and strengthening diaspora engagement.

He also commended Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Yousef Al-Balawi, for promoting bilateral cooperation, particularly through education and scholarship initiatives.

“Across the world, Nigerians are making remarkable contributions in business, healthcare, technology, education and public service. Their achievements continue to strengthen Nigeria’s global reputation and open new doors for economic cooperation,” the Minister said.

Idris noted that relations between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia have expanded beyond religious pilgrimages to include trade, investment, energy, agriculture, mining, aviation and tourism.

“Beyond our long-standing religious and cultural ties, both countries are expanding our cooperation in trade, investment, energy, agriculture, mining, aviation and tourism,” he revealed.

Following a tour of the exhibition, NiDCOM Chairman/CEO Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa described the event as evidence that Nigeria is ready for business.

She said Nigerians residing in Saudi Arabia played a key role in attracting Saudi companies to Nigeria to explore investment opportunities and establish industries.

“Nigeria is open for business. And what makes this even more important is that it is being put together by Nigerians in the diaspora. They brought these companies from Saudi Arabia to say, ‘Come to Nigeria and see what we have here,’” She emphasised.

Dabiri-Erewa said both countries are working to eliminate misconceptions that have hindered economic cooperation, adding that recent policy reforms have created new opportunities for Nigerian products in the Saudi market.

She commended the Al-Yaro brothers for championing the initiative and reaffirmed NiDCOM’s commitment to supporting diaspora-driven investments.

“Both countries want to deal with those misconceptions and say, together, we can do a lot of business that goes beyond what we normally see,” she noted.

Representing the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Ambassador Ismail Yusuf, the Commission’s Special Assistant (Technical), Ishaq Jae, said NAHCON is implementing major reforms to transform Nigeria’s Hajj and Umrah industry from a regulatory system into an investment-driven ecosystem aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.

Jae announced that NAHCON achieved 100 per cent visa processing before the commencement of the 2026 Hajj airlift, describing it as a major operational milestone.

“For the first time in many years, we were able to complete all visa processing before the first flight departed. In the past, delayed visa issuance often affected airlift operations, but that is gradually becoming a thing of the past.”

He acknowledged that operational challenges, including accommodation, transportation and catering services, were experienced during the 2026 Hajj. However, he said the Commission has developed nine reform work streams to strengthen institutional capacity, improve digital service delivery and expand private sector participation.

“The Hajj Commission intends to move from being just a regulator to becoming an enabler of businesses. Our goal is to create an environment where stakeholders can thrive while maintaining high standards of service delivery for Nigerian pilgrims,” he noted.

Participants at the exhibition expressed optimism that stronger collaboration between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia in investment, tourism, Hajj and Umrah services would unlock new business opportunities, promote knowledge exchange and further strengthen the longstanding bilateral relationship between both countries.

Source: Voice of Nigeria (VON)