Over hundred Nigerian Corps teachers are serving in various University Colleges and High Schools in Ethiopia.  As the Ethiopian Government puts the highest priority on capacity building, the Corps Teachers are contributing to the development endeavor of Ethiopia.  These teachers serve as a glue factor in the Ethio-Nigerian relations. 

            Addis Ababa University, as it is one of the oldest Universities in Africa, it has been working as a fraternal bond amongst African nations.  Since its birth, the University has cultivated fraternal ties with the people of Africa, particularly during the liberation era under the scholarship granted for those students went on to serve in positions of high responsibility as important Corps in the leadership of newly liberated countries. 

            Since then, AAU continues to collaborate with African institutions in research, exchange of students and teachers. 

            At a time in which Ethiopia is registering a remarkable progress and needs the assistance of our African brothers, Nigerians stand by our side showed their benevolence.  The recent arrival of more Nigerian teachers made Ethiopia the leading beneficiary of Nigerian technical aid corps teachers since 2000 in Africa. 

            The Ethio-Nigerian diplomatic relations dates back to the liberation of Nigeria after the independence of Nigeria in 1959.  Ethiopia opened its Embassy in Lagos in 1961.  Two years later the newly born nation also reciprocated by opening its mission in Addis Ababa.  Since then, the tie has been stable, dependable and continues.  Not withstanding the long standing relations the cooperation couldn't developed to make both countries benefit from the .. 

            In their effort to stir up areas of cooperation, the two countries were able to establish bilateral follow-up committee after the former Nigerian military leader, Ibrahim Babangida, paid a visit to Ethiopia in 1959. 

            However, the committee failed to bring remarkable changes because of absence of political instability in Nigeria. 

            In 2006 the Ethio-Nigerian Ministerial Commission held its first meeting in Addis Ababa and sealed agreement to cooperate in the social and economic affairs.  So also the agreed minutes have never become practical owing to limitation of time.  It is, therefore, it's in the backdrop of this that president Olusegon Obasanjo has paid a visit her this month.   

 Ethiopia and Nigeria have much in common.  They are the most populous countries in Africa.  Their combined population is over 200 million.  They are also multi-ethnic, multi-religious federal countries with an emerging democracy.  Both are striving to ensure democracy, good governance and sustainable development. 

            In their effort to address the issue of economic development and emancipate themselves and Africa at large from abject poverty, Ethiopia and Nigeria are working together in the framework of The New Partnership for Africa's Development /NEPAD/.  It's quite objective that sustainable development and democracy are unthinkable without the prevalence of peace and stability in the continent.  In this case, Ethiopia and Nigeria have taken a number of initiatives, from Rwanda to Liberia, from Somalia to Darfur by sending peacekeeping troops.  Ethiopia and Nigeria are partners for peace and security.  During his stay here recently, President Obasanjo has reiterated the support of it's government to the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia, recalling the decision of IGAD.

            In the economic aspect, both have made meaningful negotiations with their partners for total cancellation of African debt. 

            The cooperation between Ethiopia and Nigeria in the regional and international affairs is commendable.  Likewise, collaboration in technical areas and training is continuously increasing.  Nevertheless, their ties in trade, investment, culture and tourism, among others remained limited. 

            The visit by Olusegun Obasanjo, President of the Federal Democratic of Nigeria is, therefore, vital to hammer out to revitalize previously agreed minutes, prioritize areas of cooperation to take practical action. 

            As Prime Minister Meles Zenawi put it in a reception extended to President Obasanjo "Ethiopia gives special emphasis to its relation with Nigeria because of its conviction on the framework of African Union and The New Partnership for African Development /NEPAD/". 

            Among others, President Obasanjo in his stay here, visited flower farmers, addressed the joint House of Peoples' Representative and House of Federation, Ethio-Nigeria Business Community, Addis Ababa University. 

            The delegation through its visit has been a first hand witness of Socio-Economic development Ethiopia is exhibiting in floriculture, horticulture, textiles and shown interest to share Ethiopian experience. 

            Nigerian Businessmen indeed have to cease the opportunities in trade and investment.  Ethiopia is a nation with untapped resource, cheap labor, conducive socio-economic condition and incentives.  The establishment of Nigerian-Ethiopia Business Association would bring aboard entrepreneurs of Ethiopia and Nigeria to work together. 

            The Ethiopian Airlines with its nine times flight to destinations in Nigeria enable import and export to and from Ethiopia and Nigeria. 

            As Prime Minister Meles said in the reception accorded to Obsanjo and his entourage "... the relation is rooted mutually reinforcing interest in Africa as well as global affairs".  The visit by President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria will bring the ties to a record high as it identifies areas of cooperation and concrete measures to be taken. 

            The visit by President Olusegun Obasanjo marks the peak of Ethio-Nigerian relations.  In their desire to develop and expand trade relations both countries have committed themselves to promote the harmonious development and diversification of their products in accordance with the laws and regulations in force in each side. 

            In doing so, they have underlined the relevance of providing the maximum facilities to increase volume of trade of both parties. 

            So as to make trade relations of both countries on the basis of equality and mutual benefit, Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) on standardization was signed to adopt similar standards or recognize standards formulated or adopted by both countries. 

            Actually, the recent visit by President Obasanjo and his entourage has created a unique opportunity to identify further areas of cooperation.  Among others areas of tourism and culture were cases in point. 

            Therefore, to expand mutual knowledge and understanding of their respective cultures through the promotion of cooperation on culture and tourism, Ethiopia and Nigeria have agreed to arrange and study familiarization tours for professionals from their respective countries to benefit from each other's experiences in culture and tourism. 

            The parties also agreed to work closely in restoration and preservation of their archives and heritages and encourage their tour operators to promote package tours between the two countries. 

            Various higher institutions have greatly benefited from Nigerian teachers that extended their symbolic help.  They serve as catalyst in the people-to-people relations of Ethiopia and Nigeria..