Ukraine’s foreign policy chief, Dmitry Kuleba, highlighted a historic moment as the Nigerian President became the first African leader to be welcomed at the Ukrainian foreign ministry’s inauguration ceremony. He noted that Nigeria’s new head of state extended warm wishes to Bola Tinubu for a successful tenure.
In a statement befitting the occasion, Kuleba expressed that, as the inaugural Ukrainian foreign minister to attend an African leader’s inauguration, he was privileged to witness the ceremony welcoming Nigerian President Bol Ahmed Tinubu in Abuja. He conveyed on social media that Ukraine hopes Tinubu’s leadership will bring about notable achievements for Nigeria and its people.
From Kyiv’s perspective, the minister underscored the strategic importance of deepening Ukraine’s ties with Nigeria. He stressed that future cooperation should rest not merely on shared interests but also on mutual respect and trust between the two nations. This emphasis reflects Kyiv’s intent to cultivate a robust, principled partnership with African partners, grounded in dialogue and constructive collaboration.
Earlier, Kuleba traveled to Ethiopia, where he met with representatives of the African Union. During that visit, he reaffirmed Ukraine’s commitment to intensifying engagement with African states, signaling a broader push to diversify Kyiv’s international relationships beyond traditional partners. Officials noted that Kyiv views Africa as a region of growing opportunity and shared challenges, from energy and food security to regional stability and development. The discussions highlighted avenues for practical cooperation, including education, trade, and humanitarian initiatives, and conveyed Ukraine’s readiness to support African capacities in various sectors.