Ireland's relationship with Nigeria
The ties between Ireland and Nigeria are deep and longstanding, extending back to Nigeria’s beginnings as an independent state.
From 1892-1895, Irish revolutionary Roger Casement served as a British Consular Officer in Calabar State. He is credited as developing one of the first fresh water systems in the Niger Delta. Nigeria's first Foreign Minister studied law at Trinity College Dublin and was called to the Irish bar in 1944. He returned home in 1947 to work towards an end of colonial rule.
Ireland’s then-Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Seán Lemass travelled to Lagos to attend Nigeria’s Independence Day celebrations in 1960 and the following year, Ireland opened an Embassy in Lagos (the then-capital). It was the first Irish Embassy on the continent of Africa.
Today, the Irish Embassy is in the capital city, Abuja, together with an Honorary Consulate in Lagos. Construction of a new flagship Embassy building is underway in the European Union compound in Abuja which, when open, will symbolise the dynamic and exciting partnership between Ireland and Nigeria.
People-to-people connections
The Irish community in Nigeria is involved in business, the arts, and in vital causes such as education and health. Also at the core of the Ireland-Nigeria relationship is the legacy of Irish men and women coming to Nigeria to help establish schools and promote educational attainment among the population.
In 2023, the Friends of Ireland in Nigeria network was set up to connect diaspora and reverse diaspora community members and to promote cultural, business and alumni links between our two nations. At the same time, the Nigerian-born and diaspora community in Ireland also continues to grow and thrive, with young people making valuable contributions to Ireland in education, business, culture, sport, and public service.
Political and development links
Ireland works in partnership with our EU, UN and other partners to support the development of Nigeria and respond to humanitarian needs in the country. Through this work, Ireland supports civil society and humanitarian actors to empower marginalised groups across Nigeria, including women’s groups, disability activists, and education providers.
Between 2023 and 2024, the Embassy welcomed two Irish Government Ministers on missions to Nigeria. Minister for Agriculture Mr. Charlie McConalogue T.D. visited Lagos in September 2023 on a trade mission, highlighting the strong levels of trade in goods between Ireland and Nigeria focused primarily on dairy, drinks, and seafood. Did you know that Irish companies such as Guinness, Jameson, and Ornua maintain a strong and popular presence in Nigeria?
Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora Mr. Seán Fleming T.D. visited Abuja, Lagos, and also the Ghanaian capital of Accra as part of Ireland’s 2024 Saint Patrick’s Day ministerial programme. Further symbolising the links between Ireland and Nigeria is the fact that Saint Patrick is the patron saint of both countries!