The Philippines and Nigeria are further strengthening their cooperation, particularly in ensuring food security of both nations.

In a statement Wednesday, the Department of Agriculture (DA) reported that officials from both countries headed by Senior Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban from the DA and Philippine Honorary Consul General in Lagos, Nigeria Emmanuel Oloja Akpakwu have met during the latter’s courtesy call on Aug. 11.

During the meeting, the officials expressed intent to take the next step by joining forces towards food security and value chain development for both countries.

It includes Nigeria’s offer of supplying fast and less costly soya beans to the Philippines.

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.

As the Philippines’ 53rd trading partner worldwide based on the 2022 data of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Nigeria received USD9,190 worth of Philippine exports and sent out USD73,780 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).

The county also exports 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.

Materials, accessories and supplies are imported on a consignment basis for the manufacture of electrical and electronic machinery, equipment and parts.

The visit is in time for the 61st anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Nigeria. (PNA)