Korea to support Nigeria’s efforts on food security – Ambassador Kim Pankyu
Nigeria and South Korea’s relationship hit 45 years in March. The Ambassador of Korea to Nigeria, Ambassador Kim Pankyu, said his country is ready to support Nigeria’s move to ensure food security. He also said the bilateral trade between the two countries had grown by 38 per cent in the past year. The envoy spoke […]
ambassador of korea to nigeria, ambassador kim pankyu
Nigeria and South Korea’s relationship hit 45 years in March. The Ambassador of Korea to Nigeria, Ambassador Kim Pankyu, said his country is ready to support Nigeria’s move to ensure food security. He also said the bilateral trade between the two countries had grown by 38 per cent in the past year. The envoy spoke about other areas of collaboration and plans for the future.
You just clocked a year as the Korean ambassador to Nigeria. What is your top achievement so far?
Reflecting on our last meeting, I recall that it was in May of last year, just 50 days after I arrived in Abuja. Since then, the relationship between Korea and Nigeria has grown significantly. One of the most notable milestones was the first-ever Korea-Africa Summit last June. We facilitated high-level discussions between Korea and Nigeria, including meetings between the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Industry and Trade, and Tourism. The Nigerian delegation also participated in the Korea-Africa Business Summit and various forums on ICT, health, tourism, and energy. This was a major step in strengthening Korea’s engagement with African countries, fostering inclusiveness and cooperation.
Now that Korea and Nigeria are marking their 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations, what would you say have been the gains of their friendship over the years?
This year marks the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Nigeria. We are committed to further strengthening our ties, particularly in economic cooperation, security, and people-to-people exchanges. Nigeria remains Korea’s most important trade and investment partner in Africa. It accounts for 10% of Korea-Africa trade and over 70% of Korea’s project contracts in Africa.
In 2024, our bilateral trade increased by 38.6 per cent, reaching over 2.2 billion US dollars, reflecting our strong economic partnership. At the corporate level, for example, Korean biotech company SD Biosensor’s HIV rapid test kit has been approved for packaging in Nigeria by Colexa Biosensor Ltd. and Codix Pharma Group. This year alone, up to 15 million kits will be procured by governments across Africa and major international organisations.
Looking ahead, I believe there is room for even greater cooperation in trade and investment. Both countries are working closely to conclude key agreements as early as possible. The Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement and the Trade and Investment Promotion (TIPF) MOU will mark a new chapter in our economic relations.
With over 40 years of experience in military and security affairs, I am committed to enhancing our security collaboration. In particular, maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea is critical for both Nigeria and transit countries like the Republic of Korea. Every day, several of our merchant ships pass through the Gulf of Guinea, and around 40 of our fishing vessels, carrying hundreds of fishermen, are also operating there. We are committed to increasing Korea’s support for capacity building in the Nigerian military and security sectors.
Additionally, we hope to finalise defence industry cooperation MOUs that have been under discussion for some time. Beyond economic and security partnerships, the Korean Embassy actively supports cultural and development initiatives through KOICA and the Korean Cultural Centre.
Recently, we opened the Korea-Nigeria Information Access Centre in Abuja, supporting Nigeria’s digital capacity-building efforts.
In addition, KOICA Nigeria is conducting a project to improve digital governance and multimedia learning in primary schools, worth 13 million and 10 million U.S. dollars, respectively. Larger-scale projects are to come in the next few years. These contributions and collaboration demonstrate the mutual trust and friendship between Korea and Nigeria. As Ambassador, I will continue working to facilitate our long-standing partnership for the years ahead.
Nigeria is Korea’s fifth-largest trading partner in Africa, with a lot of trading areas to be explored. What are you doing to increase the trade volume to place Nigeria as Korea’s number one trading partner in Africa?
As I said earlier, we saw an impressive increase of 38.6% in trade volume last year compared to the previous year. This reflects the increasing economic interconnection between the two countries. In line with this positive trend, the Embassy has been actively supporting Nigerians’ engagement with their Korean counterparts since my inauguration as Ambassador in March last year.
During the Korea-Africa Summit last June, we supported the Nigerian delegation in engaging with various trade promotion agencies. With the support of our trade agency, KOTRA, we keep encouraging the participation of Korean companies in trade events in Nigeria and the invitation of Nigerian buyers to events in Korea.
We remain committed to further strengthening bilateral trade relations, to expand trade volume and deepen economic cooperation between our two nations. Above all, we can expand investment by building production facilities in Nigeria, which will help create jobs. Our goal is to establish a positive cycle where these jobs contribute to the country’s economic growth.
How has your country helped in providing employment opportunities in Nigeria?
Korean companies are leaders in creating quality jobs in Nigeria. Daewoo Engineering & Construction has played a key role in job creation, employing 5,000 to 6,000 local workers, which is nearly 20 times the number of its Korean employees. Samsung Heavy Industries also made a significant impact during the Egina Project, employing 3,000 local workers and training 600 international welders. Solpia Nigeria, a Korean SME manufacturer of Africa’s most popular high-quality braid hair extensions, supports the local employment of over 6,000 people. Their strong commitment to local employment policies is helping to build a skilled Nigerian workforce for the future.
The Embassy is also supporting Nigeria’s digital capacity-building efforts, including e-government initiatives and multimedia education. At the inauguration ceremony of the Korea-Nigeria information access centre in Abuja recently, Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, highlighted that this centre will further contribute to job creation in the digital sector.
In addition, we are actively promoting programmes to support Nigeria’s agriculture, including programs that help local farmers start their own businesses. The Korean government will continue to support a mutually beneficial environment for the two economies, ensuring continued growth and cooperation.
What are the migration pathways to Korea for skilled Nigerians, since there is currently a shortage of labour in your country?
It is worth considering a pathway for skilled workers with experience in Korean companies in Nigeria to migrate through company sponsorship. However, this approach must require thorough discussion and consensus at the government level and should be carefully reviewed step by step. This issue requires mutual effort and collaboration with policy-related government agencies, such as the Ministry of Labour and the Ministry of Justice.
Separately, to facilitate such discussions, expanding Korean companies’ presence and cooperation in Nigeria is essential. For example, Samsung Heavy Industries had launched a shipbuilding workforce support program for Nigerians using its training system. However, the initiative was suspended after more than seven years without a large-scale order. If Nigeria provides support for Korean investments, it could create a strong foundation for skilled Nigerian workers to enter the Korean job market.
What is your plan to help transform Nigeria’s agricultural sector, which is a major area of focus under the present administration and one major way of engaging a larger number of Nigerians?
Nigeria has excellent agricultural conditions, including vast land, diverse vegetation, and a variety of climates. Korea is ready to support Nigeria’s efforts to promote food security with its skills and experiences. The history of Korea-Nigeria agricultural cooperation dates back over 50 years to 1971, when Dr. Han Sang-ki conducted cassava research at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Ibadan.
Currently, various Korean initiatives are being implemented in the region, including the Korea-Africa Food and Agricultural Cooperation Initiative (KAFACI) and K-Ricebelt. Nigeria, as a member of KAFACI since its inauguration in 2010, has participated in multiple agricultural R&D cooperations so far. We also look forward to Nigeria’s joining the K-Ricebelt soon.
Additionally, I have been encouraging the Nigerian government to join the Saemaul Undong (New Village movement). The Saemaeul Undong movement was the key driving force behind Korea’s remarkable development in rural areas during the 1970s and 80s. It takes a very fundamental approach by nurturing a positive mindset of the people, with the values of diligence, self-help, and cooperation. I believe that with Nigeria joining the program, agricultural cooperation between our two countries will further expand, based on those values.
You mentioned that your administration will expand education and exchange opportunities for Nigerians in Korea. What have you done so far regarding that?
One of Korea’s significant education and exchange programmes is the Global Korean Scholarship (GKS) program. Since 2009, the Korean Cultural Centre (KCC) has annually recommended 6 to 8 Nigerian students, offering them the opportunity to study at prestigious universities in Korea.
GKS scholars go on to play key roles in various sectors after completing their studies. After earning their degrees in Korea, they return to Nigeria and contribute to the country’s national development. They also serve as a vital link in strengthening cooperation between Korea and Nigeria.
As of this year, the total number of GKS graduates has reached 90. We expect that this strong network will further promote friendship and collaboration between the two countries through close encounters in the future.