Nigeria to Reopen Diplomatic Presence in North Korea
Nigeria is making waves on the diplomatic front! The country is set to reopen its embassy in North Korea, marking the first African nation to reestablish its presence in the reclusive state. This comes four years after the mission was shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Patrick Imologhome, Nigeria’s Charge d’Affaires to North Korea, made the announcement during a meeting with Russian Ambassador to North Korea, Alexandr Matsegora, last week in Pyongyang. The news was later confirmed by the Russian Embassy on its official Facebook page.
“Patrick Imologhome, who recently arrived in North Korea, shared his plans to reopen the Nigerian Embassy in Pyongyang after years of suspended operations,” read the statement.
Nigeria’s embassy originally closed in 2019 as the pandemic forced shutdowns worldwide. However, with North Korea reopening its borders in August 2023, Nigeria has taken the lead in returning, showing its renewed interest in strengthening diplomatic ties.
Interestingly, Nigeria and Egypt remain the only African countries maintaining a diplomatic relationship with North Korea, both of which date back to 1976. However, a United Nations report previously flagged Nigeria and Egypt for engaging in trade activities that allegedly violated international sanctions on North Korea.
By reopening its embassy, Nigeria is positioning itself as a leader in post-pandemic diplomacy while paving the way for other African nations to reengage with North Korea. This bold move highlights Nigeria’s strategic interest in maintaining global relationships, especially in the East Asian region.
