Ikpeazu Presents Credentials to Spain’s King
….Seeks Stronger Economic Ties
Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain, Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, has formally commenced his diplomatic assignment in the country, presenting his Letters of Credence to King Felipe VI at the Royal Palace in Madrid.
The ceremony, held on Monday, marked the beginning of Ikpeazu’s tenure as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Nigeria to the Kingdom of Spain, as the Federal Government seeks to deepen bilateral cooperation and attract fresh economic opportunities.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Oluwafemi Adeniyi, Ikpeazu conveyed the greetings and best wishes of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the Spanish monarch, government and people.
The ambassador reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to broadening relations with Spain, particularly in trade and investment, energy, infrastructure, agriculture, education, culture, tourism and security.
He expressed the readiness of the Nigerian government to work with Spanish authorities, institutions and the private sector to expand trade and investment flows and strengthen commercial and institutional partnerships.
The diplomatic engagement was followed by a reception hosted by the Nigerian Embassy in Madrid in honour of the new ambassador. The event attracted members of the diplomatic corps, Spanish government representatives, business and cultural stakeholders, members of the Nigerian community and other friends of Nigeria.
Speaking at the reception, Ikpeazu thanked the Spanish government and people for the welcome extended to him and pledged to advance Nigeria’s interests while consolidating relations between both countries.
He called for a broader and sustained partnership involving public institutions, businesses, universities, cultural organisations, civil society groups and communities.
The ambassador also urged a review and revitalisation of existing bilateral agreements to make them more responsive to current economic and diplomatic priorities.
Of particular importance, he highlighted the Bilateral Air Service Agreement between Nigeria and Spain, stressing that improved direct air connectivity would support trade, tourism, investment and people-to-people exchanges.
Ikpeazu further described Nigerians living in Spain as an important bridge between the two countries, acknowledging their contribution to mutual understanding and cooperation.
He assured Nigerian nationals in Spain of the embassy’s commitment to promoting and protecting their interests, while pledging to strengthen their engagement with the mission and encourage their contributions to Nigeria-Spain relations.
The ambassador’s assumption of duty comes as Nigeria and Spain seek to translate their longstanding friendship into more practical economic, institutional and people-centred cooperation.
The Nigerian Embassy in Madrid said it would continue working with the Spanish government, diplomatic community, private sector, development partners and Nigerians in Spain to convert the existing goodwill between both countries into concrete outcomes that promote shared prosperity.
