The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dunoma Umar Ahmed, PhD, received in audience the High Commissioner of Kenya to Nigeria, His Excellency Isaac Keen Parashina, on Thursday, 4th December 2025. The meeting provided the opportunity for both sides to review ongoing bilateral cooperation and address key issues of mutual interest.
The Kenyan High Commissioner Isaac Keen Parashina, expressed appreciation for Nigeria’s longstanding support and reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to strengthening relations across political, economic, security, and cultural sectors. He highlighted concerns regarding the suspension of visa-on-arrival arrangements, increased student visa fees, and the long inactivity of the Nigeria–Kenya Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC). The delegation also emphasised the importance of collaboration in defence, counter-terrorism, education, trade, and youth engagement.
In his response, the Permanent Secretary, Ambassador Dunoma Umar Ahmed, PhD, welcomed the Kenyan envoy and reaffirmed Nigeria’s high regard for Kenya as an important partner. He emphasised the need for both countries to revitalise existing cooperation frameworks, including the JCC, and pledged the Ministry’s support toward fast-tracking outstanding agreements. He further assured that immigration-related concerns, particularly those affecting students, are currently under review with the Ministry of Interior to ensure reciprocity and ease of movement.
The Permanent Secretary also underscored Nigeria’s commitment to deepening cooperation in agriculture, livestock development, mining, manufacturing, and the digital economy. He reiterated the shared responsibility of African nations to collectively address security challenges, noting that terrorism and cross-border crimes require unified continental responses.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to collaborating on UN Security Council reforms, global governance advocacy, and strengthening the African voice in international decision-making.
The meeting concluded with a mutual commitment to continue engagements, enhance people-to-people ties, and advance the strategic partnership between Nigeria and Kenya.