During the visit, Prof. Osinbajo who would be received by the Algerian Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal, will hold talks with the Algerian President Abdellaziz Bouteflika and also interact with members of the Upper and lower chambers of the Algerian legislature.
The visit would explore the deepening of diplomatic and economic relations between Nigeria and Algeria while also reviewing specific areas of security cooperration. Equally both countries would also use the opportunity to harmonize their positions on multilateral issues of common interest, and sharing ideas on how to address a number of international challenges especially those confronting Africa.
It would be recalled that earlier in the year in August, the Algerian President sent a Special Envoy to Nigeria, in person of the country's Foreign Affairs Minister Ramtane Lamamra. The Special Envoy was then received in audience on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari, by Vice President Osinbajo. The Special Envoy reiterated Algeria's support for Nigeria's fight against terrorism, calling for increased collaboration between both countries in the areas of intelligence gathering and deradicalisation programmes.
In 2002, both countries set up the Nigeria-Algeria Bi-National Commision to enhance bilateral cooperation, and signed a number of Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding including those related to the creation of the 'Development Corridor', with such projects as the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline Project, the Trans-Sahara Highway Project and the Trans-Saharan Fiber Optic Project.
While in Algeria, Prof. Osinbajo will also visit a food processing plant and also meet representatives of the Nigerian community. The Vice President who is accompanied on the visit by the Foreign Affairs Minister of State Khadija Bukar Abba Ibrahim, and Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Mr. Ade Ipaye, is expected back on Wednesday December 14.
Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
December 12, 2016
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