The outgoing year 2023 is filled with a lot of significant events for us at the Embassy, and for the citizens of Federal Republic of Nigeria in the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
In retrospect, the Business and Investment Forum in April 2023 showcased Nigeria’s export diversification potentials, while the Bilateral Consultations hosted by Nigeria underscored our mutual commitment to sustain the momentum of robust engagement. On the one hand, the visit and performance of the Ekiti State Performing Arts Company and the Nigeria Travel Film Festival presented Nigeria’s rich tapestry of cultural heritage to our Dutch friends and partners. The events of the Independence Anniversary on the other hand rekindled the interest of our diaspora and the international community in the Nigeria of renewed hope.
Furthermore, the high-level ministerial visits and delegations of senior officials during the year substantially consolidated Nigeria-Netherlands relations.
We take this opportunity to heartily appreciate our devoted community (social, professional, faith, academic, ethno-cultural) leaders, our citizens, the government and people of the Netherlands, as well as the private sector for their understanding and co-operation. We specially commend the Umbrella Bodies (UNP, NIDOE-NL, the Youth and Students Groups, Associations, Socio-Cultural and Ethnic Groups) for their relentless support.
Looking ahead, we are committed to ensuring that your Embassy remains one to be proud of by all Nigerians – at home and in the diaspora – even as we now serve more clientele beyond our primary jurisdiction on the newly – installed Enhanced E-passport platform.
As we approach 2024, bilateral engagement, multi-sectoral in character, will be reinforced as we encourage the Dutch investment community and the Chambers of Commerce to appropriately leverage Nigeria’s Strategic Blueprint On Digital Economy and the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative. We also expect the strong fundamentals in renewable energy, blue economy, horticulture, life sciences, livestock value chain, circular economy, infrastructure and knowledge partnership sectors to stimulate the value and the volume of trade between Nigeria and the Netherlands.
Moreover, the predominant purposes of much-improved service delivery, intensified citizens diplomacy and community relations, as well as robust project and policy advocacy to the private sector and our publics will receive incremental attention through tailored programmes and activities in 2024.
We count on the sustained co-operation of all stakeholders and we humbly solicit your unwavering support, going forward.
The Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in The Hague, the Kingdom of the Netherlands wishes all Nigerians in the Netherlands, our friends, as well as our partners, Merry Christmas and a prosperous 2024 filled with success stories.
Ambassador Oluremi Oliyide
Charge d’ Affaires a.i.
22nd December 2023.
