Nigeria will continue supporting initiatives aimed at strengthening Rwanda’s economic transformation, according to the country’s envoy in Kigali.

Ayibakuro Peter Ogide-Oke, the Nigerian High Commissioner to Rwanda, made the remarks on Tuesday during a reception to mark 53 years of Nigeria’s Independence in Kigali.

"Since my arrival in this country last year, I have admired Rwanda’s giant developmental steps towards achieving greater things. This is quite impressive and my government will continue to support Rwanda in its development process,” Ogide-Oke said.

Strong ties 

Rwanda and Nigeria maintain ties through trade, techinical assistance among others.

In 2011 RwandAir launched direct flights to Lagos, the commercial hub of Nigeria and West Africa.

James Ngango, the director general of Bilateral and Multilateral Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who represented the government at the event, said that Rwanda looks forward to stronger ties with the West African nation. 

"We want to see our cooperation in areas of mutual interest grow from strength to strength,” he said.