ABUJA, FCT — By Prime Brief Media
The Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Nigeria, Yousef Mohammed Al-Balawi, has praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for Nigeria's solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the wake of targeted attacks on Gulf states linked to the ongoing US/Israel-Iran war.
In an official statement released in Abuja on Monday, April 27, 2026, Al-Balawi described Nigeria's position as principled and one that reflected the profound depth of a long-standing bilateral relationship. "This principled stance reflects the depth of the long-standing bilateral relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Federal Republic of Nigeria," the envoy said, noting that the Kingdom's leadership would not take the supportive stance for granted.
The ambassador's commendation came just four days after President Tinubu received letters of credence from nine newly accredited envoys, including those of Saudi Arabia and Qatar, at the State House in Abuja.
On that occasion, the president conveyed Nigeria's solidarity with Gulf countries directly affected by the hostilities. According to Bayo Onanuga, the president's special adviser on information and strategy, Tinubu specifically expressed support for the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, and Jordan, commending their "resilience and restraint" amid the conflict.
"The world needs tranquillity, peace and love. We share that solidarity with all of you in that region," President Tinubu told the assembled diplomats.
The targeted attacks against the Gulf states during the war, which began on February 28, 2026, have drawn international alarm. Among the strikes launched by Iranian forces were ballistic missile barrages targeting facilities in Saudi Arabia, prompting regional air defence systems to intercept scores of drones and missiles over several successive waves.
Ambassador Al-Balawi, a career diplomat with over 25 years of experience—nearly half of them dedicated to African affairs—said he had enjoyed considerable support from Nigerian officials since arriving in the country to take up his post.
"This underscores the high esteem in which the Kingdom is held by Nigeria's government and its people," the envoy said, stressing that the Kingdom "reciprocates the respect and regard of the Nigerian people."
Al-Balawi provided a detailed update on the state of Saudi-Nigerian economic cooperation, describing both nations as important regional economic heavyweights—Saudi Arabia as the largest economy in the Middle East and Nigeria as the most populous country and one of the largest economies in Africa.
"The relationship between Saudi Arabia and Nigeria is deep-rooted, dating back to 1961, and has been steadily growing," the ambassador noted. He pointed out that both countries maintain close coordination in numerous international forums and at the highest levels.
According to the envoy, several agreements and memoranda of understanding spanning economic, trade, and investment sectors are currently being coordinated with relevant authorities in both countries, in preparation for signing.
"These initiatives are expected to strengthen economic ties, increase Saudi investment in Nigeria, and raise the volume of bilateral trade to levels commensurate with the size and strength of both economies," Al-Balawi stated.
The ambassador expressed optimism about the future of Saudi-Nigerian relations, asserting that driven by the mutual will and wise leadership of both countries, the partnership was poised for further growth.
The presentation of credentials ceremony on Thursday, April 23, also saw President Tinubu outline his administration's foreign policy priorities, including a call for deeper economic cooperation and diaspora engagement. The president reaffirmed Nigeria's commitment to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), particularly in promoting constitutional order, economic integration, and stability in the Sahel.
He urged the newly accredited envoys to convey Nigeria's goodwill to their respective governments while encouraging them to explore opportunities across sectors including infrastructure, energy, and digital economy.
Nigeria's outreach to the Gulf states during a period of intense geopolitical turmoil in the Middle East underscores a diplomatic posture balancing international solidarity with strategic economic interests. The crisis has disrupted global energy supply chains, driven crude oil prices sharply higher, and strained relations between regional powers.
