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Michal Cygan, the Ambassador of Poland to Nigeria, has expressed his country’s readiness to boost diplomatic and economic ties with Nigeria.
Cygan, who stated this during an Ambassadorial Forum titled: “Diplomatic and Economic Relations Between Nigeria & Poland,” at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Victoria Island, on Monday, said that the move is part of Poland’s renewed efforts to strengthen cooperation between his nation and Nigeria.
The envoy, while speaking at the event, which was attended by diplomats, academics, policy experts and members of the media, said that the relations between Nigeria and Poland, “established in 1962, has been historically friendly but not sufficiently intensive.”
According to Ambassador Cygan: “They were always friendly and supportive, but not very intense. Honestly, we can tell it to ourselves that we have not been at all our most important strategic partners. And this is what we can try to change. This is my ambition to intensify these friendly and supportive relations.”
While tracing the evolution of bilateral ties to the Cold War period, Ambassador Cygan noted that although Poland was then part of the Eastern Bloc, it maintained strong support for African liberation movements and self-determination.
He said that Poland was proud of its legacy of supporting decolonisation and the liberalisation of African nations, describing it as a positive aspect of its foreign policy history.
Ambassador Cygan, who reflected on Poland’s transition from a centrally planned socialist system to a democratic and market-driven economy after 1989, stated that the reform process was turbulent but transformative.
The envoy, who recalled that in the 1980s, Poland experienced severe economic hardship, including food shortages, despite its agricultural potential, contrasted that period with the country’s current economic strength, adding that Poland recorded about €50 billion in agro-export surplus last year.
“The same country in the 80s could not even feed its own population because of the mismanagement of the system,” the envoy said, adding that “sustained reforms anchored on clear goals could produce positive long-term outcomes.”
According to him, Poland’s accession to the European Union marked a new phase of development, providing stronger institutional capacity, improved technologies and expanded opportunities for global partnerships, including with African countries.
He noted that Poland and Nigeria share common democratic values and a commitment to market-driven economies, which provide a solid foundation for expanded cooperation.
Highlighting growing educational ties, the ambassador disclosed that over 4,000 Nigerian students are currently studying in Poland, describing the figure as a significant factor in strengthening people-to-people relations between both countries.
Cygan said: “To some extent, Poland was more exotic to Nigeria than Nigeria is to Poland,” even as he was hopeful that academic and cultural exchanges would deepen mutual understanding.
He emphasised that Poland’s transformation was not merely economic but rooted in value-based and systemic reforms that restored agency to citizens and communities.
“Before being pro-economics, we are ethical and intellectual human beings. It’s important for us to know not just what to do, but why we do it,” he said.
The envoy called for increased cooperation in diplomacy, trade, technology and intercultural exchange, signalling Poland’s readiness to re-engage Nigeria in a more strategic and meaningful manner.
