Nigeria–Taiwan relations

Nigeria–Taiwan relations

Nigeria
Taiwan
Diplomatic mission
Nigeria Trade Office TaiwanTaipei Trade Office in the Federal Republic of Nigeria

Nigeria–Taiwan relations refers to the bilateral relations between Nigeria (officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria) and Taiwan (officially the Republic of China, ROC). Nigeria recognizes the People’s Republic of China and adheres to the One China policy, yet maintains trade offices and economic ties with Taiwan.

History

Since Nigeria's independence in 1960, interactions with Taiwan have largely been informal and economic. A study titled "Nigeria and Taiwan: The Evolution and Dynamics of a Relationship; 1960-2020" documents that while Nigeria has never re-established formal diplomatic recognition of Taiwan, there have been partial ties and cooperation in trade, culture, and agriculture.[1]

In 2017, Nigeria's government formally shut the Taiwanese office in Abuja and moved its functions to Lagos under the designation of a trade office, reaffirming that it does not recognize Taiwan as a sovereign state.[2][3]

Representative offices and trade missions

Taiwan maintains the Taipei Trade Office in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, functioning as its de facto embassy in Nigeria. This office handles trade, commercial, cultural, and consular-type services (non-diplomatic).[4] Nigeria has a Nigeria Trade Office in Taipei, established pursuant to a Memorandum of Understanding signed 21 November 1990, and operational since about November 1992. The Nigerian Trade Office in Taipei aims to promote trade, investment, business linkages, export of non-oil commodities, assist exporters, and facilitate business relations between Nigeria and Taiwan.[5]

Economic relations and trade

Trade volume has fluctuated: At the peak during the COVID-19 period around 2021, trade between Nigeria and Taiwan reached approximately US$1 billion.[6][7] By 2023, the trade volume had decreased to about US$500 million. The decline has been attributed to shifts in Nigeria’s agricultural export capacity (especially sesame seeds) and market changes in Taiwan.[8]

Political posture and recognition policy

Nigeria adheres to the One China policy and recognizes the People's Republic of China as the legitimate government of China.[9][10]

In 2017, the Nigerian Foreign Affairs Ministry declared that the Taiwan office in Abuja would be shuttered and relocated to Lagos as a trade mission with minimal staff, consistent with Nigeria’s foreign policy stance.[11]

Recent developments

In April 2025, the Nigerian House of Representatives Committee on China-Nigeria relations clarified that statements referring to collaboration with the Taiwanese government are misleading, asserting that the Taiwan Trade Office in Lagos has no diplomatic status and exists only for trade purposes.[9]

In May 2024, Taiwan's Chief of Mission in Nigeria, Andy Liu, and other officials expressed intention to revitalize trade ties, especially in agricultural exports such as sesame, and called for renewed investment and improved market access.[12][13]

See also

References

  1. ^ Isana, Nduonofit Okon (August 2023). "Nigeria and Taiwan: The Evolution and Dynamics of a Relationship; 1960-2020". University of Abuja.
  2. ^ "Nigeria severs diplomatic relations with Taiwan, shuts its Abuja office". TheCable.ng. 11 January 2017. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  3. ^ Scott, Brendan; Shi, Ting; Ibukun, Yinka (12 January 2017). "Nigeria Snubs Taiwan as China Pledges $40 Billion Investment". Bloomberg. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  4. ^ Everington, Keoni. "Nigeria forces Taiwan to change country name of de facto embassy to 'Taipei'". Taiwan News. Retrieved 7 January 2018.
  5. ^ "Office ‐ Nigeria Trade Office Taipei (About)". Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  6. ^ "Nigeria-Taiwan Trade Volume Hit $500m in 2023 – THISDAYLIVE". THISDAYLIVE. 14 May 2024. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  7. ^ "Why Taiwan-Nigeria Trade Volume Declined By $500m". Daily Trust (Nigeria). 15 May 2024. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  8. ^ "Trade Nigeria, Taiwan Dips by $500M – Envoy". The Nation (Nigeria). 19 May 2024. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  9. ^ a b "Taiwan office in Lagos is for trade, not diplomacy – Reps". Vanguard (Nigeria). 29 April 2025. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  10. ^ "Nigeria doesn't recognise Taiwan trade office as gov't – Daily Trust". Daily Trust. 30 April 2025. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  11. ^ "Nigeria severs diplomatic relations with Taiwan, closes Abuja office". Vanguard (Nigeria). 11 January 2017. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  12. ^ Odeniyi, Solomon (16 February 2025). "Taiwan seeks deeper economic ties with Nigeria". Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  13. ^ Egenuka, Ngozi (15 May 2024). "Taiwan seeks deeper trade relations with Nigeria". Retrieved 12 September 2025.
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