Embassy of Switzerland in Nigeria

Building a future-ready workforce for Nigeria:

Yesterday, Ambassador Patrick Egloff met with the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment, H.E. Mr. Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi.

The meeting focused on the policies of Federal Government of Nigeria designed to improve employment in Nigeria and Switzerland’s concrete contribution to empowering young Nigerians with high-level vocational training they need to thrive, through the Skills Development and Youth Employment (SKYE) project 🛠️🎓

They also highlighted the power of the "tripartite dialogue"—the essential partnership between government, employers, and employees that shapes fair international standards. This collaborative spirit will take center stage at the upcoming International Labour Conference in , the world’s most inclusive hub for global diplomacy. 🇨🇭🤝

Together, we’re turning potential into prosperity! 🚀

As part of the ongoing partnership between the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the FAO in Northeast Nigeria, which began in 2021, Ambassador Patrick Egloff and Humanitarian Advisor Aline Bürki exchanged yesterday with FAO Representative Dr. Hussein Gadain (PhD), accompanied by Mr. BRAIMAH TOFIQ

The SDC is proud to support FAO’s efforts to strengthen the resilience of crisis-affected communities by sustainably improving , and agriculture-based , particularly as food insecurity and malnutrition continue to rise across the country.

This collaboration underscores Switzerland’s commitment to addressing urgent humanitarian needs while advancing in Nigeria.

Warmest congratulations to H.E. Ambassador Bianca Odumwegwu-Ojukwu on her appointment as Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs 👏

In a recent meeting the Minister and Ambassador Patrick Egloff discussed the strong and diverse bilateral relations between Switzerland and Nigeria and ways to further strengthen them.

✅some 50 🇨🇭 companies are present in Nigeria

✅🇨🇭 invests in the professional training of young Nigerians

✅🇨🇭 🇳🇬 migration partnership produces concrete results

✅🇨🇭 provides specific support to peace efforts

✅🇨🇭 humanitarian program supports the most vulnerable in the North-East and puts an emphasis on localization and strengthening of local partners

✅ 🇨🇭 and 🇳🇬 work together to strengthen democracy

✅ new forms of cooperation in the field of culture and creative industries are being developed 🗿🎬



Federal Department of Foreign Affairs

🇨🇭🤝🇳🇬 Advancing Responsible Private Security Governance in Nigeria:

Last Thursday Ambassador Patrick Egloff was honoured to host the official launch of the Nigerian Chapter of the International Code of Conduct Association (ICoCA)️. The event brought together senior representatives of the Federal Government of Nigeria, security agencies 🛡️, civil society organizations, private security companies 🏢, international partners 🌍 and the media 📸—marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s engagement with international standards, accountability and professionalism in the private security sector.

🇨🇭 Switzerland is proud to have played a leading role in the creation of the International Code of Conduct for Private Security Providers (2010) and the establishment of ICoCA (2013). The launch of the Nigerian chapter reflects years of sustained dialogue and partnership 🤝 and reinforces our shared commitment to:

✅ Respect for human rights and international humanitarian law 🕊️
✅ Responsible business conduct in security services 🏛️

✅ Stronger multi‑stakeholder cooperation and national ownership 🌐

🇨🇭 Switzerland congratulates Nigeria on this important step and looks forward to continued collaboration with ICoCA, Nigerian institutions and partners to strengthen private security governance in Nigeria🤝🌍.

As part of our commitment to strengthening and advancing in Northeast Nigeria, Ambassador Patrick Egloff visited FAO-supported livelihood intervention sites in Jere LGA, Borno State, to gain first-hand insight into ongoing efforts and impact.

Funded by Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, the Aquaculture Centre and the Fish Processing/ Production Centre in Old Maiduguri demonstrate how resilient food systems can be built through integrated value and supply chains. During the visit, our Ambassador engaged directly with beneficiaries across the aquaculture and fish value chains.

The visit further reaffirmed Switzerland’s commitment to supporting sustainable, community-based and solutions for conflict-affected households and communities in Northeast Nigeria.

🇨🇭🇳🇬 Strengthening the Pillars of Democracy:

On Monday, Ambassador Patrick Egloff was honoured to host a high-level exchange between two distinguished delegations at the Embassy in Abuja.

Swiss MP Marc Jost led a delegation from the First Step Forum - a global coalition of parliamentarians and leaders dedicated to advancing religious freedom, human rights, and peace. We were privileged to welcome former Slovak Prime Minister Eduard Heger and Austrian MP Gudrun Kugler as part of this mission. The delegation met with the Swiss-Nigeria Parliamentary Friendship Group of the Nigerian House of Representatives, led by its Chairman, Hon. Rodney Ebikebina Ambaiowei.🏛️🤝

While the dialogue centered on international religious freedom, the discussions also explored broader collaboration amongst parliamentarians across several key thematic areas.🌍

🇨🇭🤝🇳🇬 : VP Cassis in Lagos - Strengthening the Swiss-Nigerian Economic Engine!

Yesterday, Swiss Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ignazio Cassis concluded his Nigeria mission with a day dedicated to the economic potential of the greater Lagos area, and to also witness the impact of Swiss investment in Nigeria firsthand.

He had a deep dive into market opportunities with Swiss CEOs, including a visit to ’s massive and exciting new investment project in the Harbor of Lagos🚢; and exchanges with Nestlé and Bühler Group, companies where Switzerland’s excellent T-VET model is successfully applied to empower Nigerian youths with world-class technical skills🎓💼. The message is clear: Swiss expertise is helping fuel Nigeria’s industrial future.

Overall, it was a meaningful visit that strengthens the partnership between Switzerland and Nigeria. 🌍

-VET

Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Pulse Nigeria Novartis

🇨🇭🤝🇳🇬 A memorable moment in Swiss-Nigerian relations:

Yesterday, the Swiss Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ignazio Cassis, arrived in Nigeria for an official visit to and .

With Nigerian Vice President Kashim Shettima, he discussed the quality and diversity of our bilateral relations, emphasizing Nigeria’s strong market potential and the valuable role of and Swiss companies in the Nigerian economy. 🤲 He highlighted Switzerland’s significant engagement in good offices and humanitarian assistance in Nigeria, particularly in the northeast. Together both sides explored new areas of cooperation, including in the areas of culture.

🛡️ In his meeting with National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, he discussed the strong and longstanding partnership between Switzerland and Nigeria in peace and security. Both parties reiterated their commitment to deepening cooperation on the prevention and resolution of armed conflict in .

🇨🇭🤝🇳🇬 A Historic Step for Swiss–Nigerian Cultural Relations:

Last Friday was a significant moment for the cultural relations between Switzerland and Nigeria.

The Director-General of the Commission for Museum and Monuments (NCMM), Olugbile Holloway, and representatives of the museums of ethnography of and and of the museum Museum Rietberg in Zurich signed the restitution documents for looted artefacts from the Kingdom of Benin in Nigeria.📜These treasures are finally returning home.🏺🏛️

This marks the successful conclusion of the —a project rooted in rigorous provenance research. The research facilitated the identification of artefacts in these Swiss museums that had been or most likely had been looted during a British attack on the kingdom of Benin in 1897.

Switzerland remains committed to a transparent and ethical dialogue regarding cultural heritage.

🗓️ Coming soon: 📦➡️🏛️The physical restitution will take place this summer at the National Museum in . 🚚🇳🇬

🔗 Learn more: https://www.musethno.uzh.ch/en/Exhibitions/archiv/benin-dues/media-release-restitution.html

Francophonie: 90 countries, 1 language, Endless cooperation:

Did you know Switzerland is the 3rd largest contributor to the International Organisation of La Francophonie?

For us, French is a vehicle for democracy, education, and digital governance. As we celebrate the International Day of the French Language tomorrow, we celebrate a network that connects Switzerland to the rest of the world.

Check out the infographic below to discover the milestones of our Switzerland's 30-year journey and role within the Francophonie and why this network matters on the global stage.