Nigerian Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and Canadian Deputy Prime Minister, Chrystia Freeland, have agreed on the need to deepen bilateral relations between Nigeria and Canada, with a focus on improving trade, educational collaboration, and continuing dialogue on global energy transition issues and climate change.
This was the highlight of a meeting between the leaders in Ottawa, the capital of the North American country on Monday.
On the global net zero emissions targets and energy transition, Osinbajo reaffirmed the view that gas ought to be adopted as a transition fuel, to which the deputy prime minister agreed and promised to continue to hold discussions on funding for a possible transition.
Both leaders exchanged notes on some of the common and peculiar economic challenges in their respective countries, including fiscal and monetary challenges, subsidies, financial inclusion, social investment programmes, and strategies to support the vulnerable, among others.
They also discussed the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), observing that the market provided opportunities for mutual benefits, not only for African countries but also Canada, which is desirous of contributing to its development and also tapping into the continental market.