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ABUJA — A Nigerian media and business development practitioner, Oru Leonard Oru, has called on the Federal Government to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties with Bangladesh by establishing a resident Nigerian Embassy in Dhaka and adopting aspects of the South Asian country’s development model to drive Nigeria’s economic transformation.
Oru made the call on Thursday while speaking at the 2026 July Martyrs’ Day commemoration organised by the Bangladesh High Commission in Abuja, where he described Bangladesh as one of the world’s most inspiring development success stories.
A frequent visitor to Bangladesh, Oru said he had witnessed the country’s remarkable socio-economic transformation over the years, particularly in infrastructure, agriculture, the blue economy, manufacturing, healthcare, microfinance, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and youth entrepreneurship.
He noted that Bangladesh’s development experience offers practical lessons that Nigeria can adapt to stimulate inclusive economic growth, reduce poverty, and create sustainable employment opportunities for its growing youth population.
According to him, both countries share several common characteristics, including youthful populations, Commonwealth membership, developing economies, rich cultural diversity, and abundant human and natural resources, making deeper bilateral cooperation both strategic and mutually beneficial.
“Bangladesh has demonstrated that with visionary leadership, sound policies and sustained investment in human capital, remarkable economic transformation is possible. Nigeria can draw valuable lessons from Bangladesh’s achievements in agriculture, livestock production, the blue economy, garment manufacturing, microfinance, women’s economic empowerment and start-up development,” Oru stated.
He observed that Bangladesh’s globally acclaimed microfinance system has empowered millions of entrepreneurs, particularly women and rural communities, and argued that adapting similar financing models could significantly strengthen Nigeria’s small business sector while accelerating poverty reduction.
Oru also highlighted Bangladesh’s impressive strides in food production, fisheries and marine resource management, stressing that enhanced collaboration in agriculture and the blue economy would enable Nigeria to harness the vast economic potential of its coastal and inland water resources.
Beyond agriculture, he advocated stronger partnerships between both countries in education, technology transfer, pharmaceutical production, manufacturing, digital innovation and vocational skills development, describing these sectors as critical to Nigeria’s long-term economic competitiveness.
The media practitioner further urged the Federal Government to establish a resident Nigerian Embassy in Dhaka, saying the diplomatic mission would facilitate trade and investment, deepen diplomatic engagement, improve consular services for Nigerians living and doing business in Bangladesh, and expand opportunities for commercial partnerships.
He added that the embassy would also promote stronger people-to-people exchanges, tourism, cultural diplomacy and institutional collaboration between the two nations.
Oru commended the Bangladesh High Commission in Abuja for organising the July Martyrs’ Day remembrance, describing the event as a solemn occasion that underscores the enduring values of democracy, justice, national unity and good governance.
He expressed confidence that Nigeria and Bangladesh would continue to strengthen bilateral relations in ways that promote sustainable development, expand economic opportunities and reinforce South-South cooperation for the benefit of both countries.
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