In time for the 61st anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Nigeria, Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA) Senior Undersecretary Domingo F. Panganiban welcomed Philippine Honorary Consul General in Lagos, Nigeria Emmanuel Oloja Akpakwu during the latter’s courtesy call last August 11.

As the Philippines’ 53rd trading partner worldwide—as per 2022 data of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)—Nigeria received US$ 9,190 worth of Philippine exports and sent out US$ 73,780 worth of imported products to the Philippines.

Among the Philippines’ top export products to Nigeria were palmitic acid, stearic acid, their salts and esters; driers for agricultural products; other beauty of make-up preparations and preparations for the care of the skin (other than medicaments); other office machines; and extracts, preparations with a basis of these extracts, essences or concentrates or with a basis of coffee.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s top imports to the Philippines include other liquified petroleum gases; liquified propane; liquified butane; bran, sharps and other residues, whether or not in the form of pellets, derived from sifting, milling, or other working of wheat; and materials, accessories and supplies imported on consignment basis for the manufacture of electrical and electronic machinery, equipment, and parts.

Thus, the two officials expressed intent to take the next step by joining forces towards food security and value chain development for both countries, starting with Nigeria’s offer of supplying fast and less costly soya beans to the Philippines.

Consul General Akpakwu also shared their desire to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Philippines, which will become the framework agreement for Nigeria’s request to the latter for assistance in terms of acquiring harvest and post-harvest technology and bringing in best practices in onion, cacao, cashew, and mango production. ### (Krystelle Ymari A. Vergara, DA-AFID)