Minister Chambers opens new Embassy building in Abuja

The Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, Jack Chambers TD, has formally opened the new office of the Embassy of Ireland in Abuja, Nigeria. The office and event space will serve as a hub to advance Ireland's interests in Nigeria and across the neighbouring countries of West Africa.

The office is part of the Government's Global Ireland strategy to double the scope and impact of Ireland's global footprint, which also included new embassies in Morocco and Senegal.

Minister Chambers said:

Today's opening of the new Embassy building marks an exciting new chapter in Ireland's engagement in Abuja, the capital of Africa's largest nation. It is a testament to and a clear signal of our Government's commitment to build on the excellent relationship we enjoy with Nigeria, and the wider West African region.

With a population of more than 200 million people, Nigeria is an important strategic partner for the European Union, and its Member States, and so it is fitting that the new Embassy is co-located on the European Union compound. I believe that this co-location will drive further collaboration between our diplomatic teams, as well as state agencies, providing a platform to unlock new opportunities that will further benefit both Ireland and Nigeria

Nigeria was the location of Ireland's first diplomatic presence in Africa, reflecting the long-standing ties between our two countries. The new Embassy building commemorates this legacy. For example, the main event space will be named after Roger Casement, an iconic figure in Irish history who began his work in Old Calabar, in southern Nigeria. His legacy continues today through the Roger Casement Fellows whose human rights-related studies in Ireland are supported under the Irish Government's Fellowship Programme.

The programme of Minister Chambers in Nigeria also includes a range of political, business and community activities in Abuja and Lagos.

ENDS

19 March 2026