The Vietnamese government has expressed its interest in expanding cooperation with Nigeria in areas such as trade, agriculture, education, and security.

Vietnam’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Bui Hung, made this known on Tuesday in Abuja during events marking the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and the founding of Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Hung noted that while trade relations have improved, there is still significant untapped potential. He disclosed that bilateral trade rose to $1 billion in 2024, up from an average of $600 million in previous years, mainly due to Vietnam’s increased crude oil imports from Nigeria.

“Last year was the first time our trade volume reached $1 billion, largely because of oil purchases. But oil and gas should not be the main focus. Agriculture offers more sustainable opportunities,” the envoy said.

According to him, Vietnam currently exports electronics, textiles, footwear, and other consumer goods to Nigeria while importing cashew nuts and limited agricultural products in return. He identified rice as a key challenge, noting that high tariffs and taste preferences have hindered access to Nigeria’s market.

“Vietnamese rice faces nearly 70 percent tariffs in Nigeria, and while Nigerians prefer basmati, ours is jasmine and sticky. Yet globally, our rice is in high demand, with major buyers including the US, Japan, and Southeast Asia,” he explained.

The envoy suggested stronger collaboration in agriculture, highlighting Vietnam’s expertise in rice production. He revealed that one Vietnamese farmer is already cultivating rice successfully in Benue State, demonstrating the potential for partnerships in the sector.

Hung also disclosed that a proposal for a Free Trade Agreement between the two countries has been awaiting Nigeria’s response for over a year. “Such an agreement would reduce tariffs and enhance trade flows, as we have achieved with Japan, Korea, and others,” he said.

On security and defence, he said military exchanges already exist, with some Nigerian officers receiving training in Vietnam. “We are open to expanding this cooperation, including technology transfer,” he added.

The ambassador further emphasized education and skills development, stating that Nigerian students are already studying maritime, agribusiness, and ICT in Vietnam. He said Vietnam is willing to host more students and professionals for training, especially in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence.

While acknowledging challenges such as insecurity, Hung expressed optimism about future cooperation. “Nigeria has fertile land, abundant water, and a young workforce. With the right framework, we can build stronger ties that benefit both nations,” he concluded.

President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a highly anticipated summit in Anchorage on Friday, August 15, 2025, marking the most direct effort so far to find an end to the war in Ukraine.

While the meeting ran for several hours, no joint statement was issued, and both leaders left with different tones: Trump focusing on a “peace agreement” rather than an immediate ceasefire, and Putin signaling readiness for wider negotiations without making concrete concessions.

Why The Meeting

The Alaska talks were the first face-to-face encounter between Trump and Putin since the Russian invasion began in 2022. 

Expectations had been high for a breakthrough ceasefire, but instead Trump signaled a shift away from halting the fighting immediately, choosing to frame the meeting as a first step toward a broader settlement.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, preparing for follow-up meetings in Washington, cautioned that any agreement must provide lasting security and not merely a pause that allows Russia to regroup.

Key Outcomes of the Meeting

Although no written deal emerged, both leaders touched on key issues that could shape the next phase of diplomacy. Trump suggested that Ukraine could receive security guarantees similar to NATO protections without formally joining the alliance, and Putin did not dismiss this idea, but linked it to Kyiv dropping its pursuit of NATO membership. 

Reports of potential territorial arrangements also surfaced, including recognition of Russian control over Crimea and parts of Donetsk and Luhansk, alongside discussions of Russia freezing further advances in the south. None of these terms has been accepted by Ukraine.

The shift from ceasefire to long-term peace agreement highlights the gulf between Trump’s new approach and the urgency felt in Kyiv. While Trump portrayed the meeting as progress, critics argue that without immediate steps to halt the fighting, the war could intensify as both sides seek stronger positions before any settlement is signed.

European and Ukrainian Response

Zelenskyy restated Ukraine’s firm opposition to territorial concessions, insisting that Ukraine’s sovereignty and borders are non-negotiable. His administration warned that rewarding Russian aggression would only set a dangerous precedent.

European leaders reacted swiftly to the summit. Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer, France’s Emmanuel Macron, Germany’s Friedrich Merz, and Italy’s Giorgia Meloni coordinated with Kyiv and announced plans to join Zelenskyy in Washington to influence the emerging framework. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also pledged to ensure Ukraine’s voice remains central.

The U.S. administration struck a cautious note, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledging that progress was made but stressing that “big areas of disagreement” remain. His comments about the need for “concessions on both sides” drew mixed reactions in Washington and Europe, with some fearing the language could signal pressure on Kyiv to compromise.

What Is The Social Media Saying

The summit quickly set off a wave of debate online. Ukrainian users voiced anger at the absence of a ceasefire. 

An X comment by User Martha reads: “I think Putin showed Trump his copy of the #EpsteinFiles during the Beast ride right away, to demean & terrify Trump. It all went downhill from there. Then I have to wonder if some of that was shown to the US delegation during the meeting; they all freaked and went home.” 

American reactions were divided along political lines. Trump supporters celebrated the meeting as evidence of his ability to “open doors” and negotiate with adversaries, while critics accused him of “handing Putin the advantage.” One viral post by X user mmpadellan read: “Trump’s Alaska meeting with Putin was so horrible, I STILL haven’t forgotten about the Epstein files. Don’t stop asking.” 

The Trump–Putin meeting in Anchorage is being viewed as a potential turning point in the war, though not in the way many had hoped. 

By prioritizing a broader peace deal over an immediate ceasefire, Trump has left Ukraine and its allies wary of concessions that could undermine Kyiv’s sovereignty. While some see the talks as a step toward eventual compromise, others warn they risk entrenching the conflict rather than resolving it.

Like many pivotal moments in modern diplomacy, the outcome will be defined not by what was said at the summit, but by what happens next as Ukraine, Europe, and the United States decide whether peace will mean justice, or merely another pause in a war that shows no sign of ending soon.

The United States Mission in Nigeria has announced that all visa applicants must provide details of their social media activity covering the past five years as part of the application process.

The directive, shared on the Mission’s official X handle on Monday, follows the U.S. Department of State’s renewed push to strengthen national security through more rigorous screening procedures.

According to the Mission, applicants are required to list every username and handle they have used across all social media platforms within the five-year period on the DS-160 visa application form.

It cautioned that withholding such information could result in visa denial and possible disqualification from obtaining future U.S. visas.

The statement read: “Visa applicants are required to list all social media usernames or handles of every platform they have used from the last 5 years on the DS-160 visa application form. Applicants certify that the information in their visa application is true and correct before they sign and submit. Omitting social media information could lead to visa denial and ineligibility for future visas.”