A truck is seen at a grain terminal during barley harvesting in Ukraine
Reuters

The Ukrainian government, Wednesday, expressed its willingness to establish grain hubs in Nigeria and other African nations to strengthen bilateral ties.

This was revealed when the delegation headed by Mykola Solskyi, Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food, Ukraine, visited Geoffrey Onyeama, Nigeria's Foreign Affairs Minister, and Mohammad Abubakar, the minister of agriculture and rural development, in Abuja.

Mykola Solskyi, the minister of Ukraine, asserted that the establishment of these hubs would enable Nigeria to import premium grains, which would be beneficial for the country's growing food costs.

A grain center in Nigeria is a top priority, according to Solskyi, who also stated that given Nigeria's size and capabilities, it would be a practical step toward strengthening trade relations between the two countries.

He said the prosperous economic ties established between Nigerian and Ukrainian companies over the previous ten years are extremely essential for Ukraine. The minister also asserted that the Ukrainian food business wants to establish better ties with Nigeria despite the war.

"President of Ukraine supports this idea and Ukraine intends to develop hubs in two or three ports in West Africa," Solskyi said, as per Business Day.

Nigeria's Onyeama commended Ukraine for the grain donation and pointed out that it came even though the country was still at war.

"Notwithstanding the situation in which your country finds itself, you can reach out a hand of friendship not just to Nigeria but to other African countries. This demonstrates superhuman courage, and we admire your generosity, we thank you for this support," the minister noted, as reported by Ripples Nigeria.

Onyeama also expressed regret regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict that had disrupted the studies of many Nigerian students.

According to the minister, Ukraine has developed a real specialization in many disciplines, and Nigerian students are reaping the benefits. "We can continue to strengthen relations between our two countries and our two peoples. We will do our best at the multilateral level to bring the war to a very quick end," he said.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Abubakar, stated that Nigeria is eager to provide the appropriate ports for the country's grain hub.

According to Abubakar, at least 30% of Nigeria's agricultural trade in wheat, fertilizer, and other grains is with Ukraine.

And, the proposed hubs would be located in Lagos and Onne Port in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. He also predicted that relations between Nigeria and Ukraine will continue to strengthen, particularly in the agriculture industry.

The minister went on to say that the grain hubs would serve as a central point for Ukraine to import grains. Also, Nigeria will assist other African countries in the event of an emergency or food donation.