South African President, Jacob Zuma, has arrived in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, ahead of his state visit which will begin on Tuesday.
During the visit, he is expected to address a joint session of Nigeria’s National Assembly on Tuesday.
President Zuma and his host, President Muhammadu Buhari, will also address the South Africa Business Forum.
The South African President arrived with six ministers and a huge business delegation.
In the delegation are the Minister of Trades and Industry, Rob Davies, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Minister for Energy, Tina Joemat-Peterson, Minister of Home Affairs, Malusi Gigaba, Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and Minister of Mineral Resources, Mosebenzi Zwane.
Talks are expected to centre on both countries’ bilateral relations and probably the fine on MTN communications by Nigeria as well as Nigeria’s arms money seizures by South Africa.
The Acting Nigerian High Commissioner to South Africa, Martins Cobham, said areas that were perceived to have created some concerns would likely be addressed.
Nigeria is South Africa’s seventh largest trading partner, with crude oil as its major export to South Africa while South Africa has investments in Nigeria in diverse sectors.
South Africa-Nigeria bi-national Commission was established in 1999 and both countries have 34 standing bilateral agreements & Memorandum of Understanding.
A Research Fellow with the University of Johannesburg, Dr. Rita Ozoemena, expects both leaders to discuss the free movement of persons between both countries and also consider their security and economic potential.
Another Research Fellow with Helen Suzeman Foundation, Aubrey Matshiqi, stressed the need for the two countries to find a healthy balance between strategic competition and strategic cooperation.
A Nigerian in South Africa hopes the Nigerian President will discuss issues of police brutality.
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