President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has accepted credentials of newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Nigeria Hamzat Ibrahim.

Ambassador Hamzat Ibrahim reviewed a guard of honor.

Hamzat Ibrahim presented his credentials to President Ilham Aliyev.

President Ilham Aliyev then spoke with the ambassador.

Noting that Nigeria is a brotherly country for Azerbaijan, the head of state stressed the importance of the two countries` mutual support on the international level and within the UN and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. Emphasizing the contribution of Azerbaijan to the cause of Islamic solidarity, President Ilham Aliyev said that a number of important events were held in the country in this regard. The Azerbaijani President noted the significance of declaring 2017 as a Year of Islamic Solidarity in Azerbaijan and holding the Islamic Solidarity Games in Baku. Hailing the political ties between the two countries, the head of state also stressed the importance of increasing mutual trade, investment making, defining cooperation opportunities in business sphere, and underlined the necessity of reciprocal visits of the two countries` delegations at different levels.

Ambassador Hamzat Ibrahim extended greetings of Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari to the head of state. Saying that the two countries enjoy strong political relations, Hamzat Ibrahim noted that the economic cooperation does not conform to this level. He said that during his meetings with Azerbaijani officials in Baku the ways of developing economic ties will be determined. Stressing that measures are being implemented to develop the non-oil sector in the two countries, the ambassador added that there are good opportunities for cooperation in tourism, education, trade and other fields.

They noted the significance of developing the bilateral cooperation in economic, investment making, trade, defense industry and other spheres, and stressed the appropriateness of establishing a joint intergovernmental commission for expanding the bilateral ties on this front.

The head of state thanked for the greetings of President Muhammadu Buhari and asked Hamzat Ibrahim to extend his greetings to the President of Nigeria.