Nigeria Reopens Embassy in North Korea After Nearly Four-Year Closure Due to COVID-19

Nigeria has officially reopened its embassy in Pyongyang, North Korea, after nearly four years of closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This development marks Nigeria as only the second African nation, alongside Egypt, to maintain an active diplomatic presence in North Korea.

The reopening was confirmed by Patrick Imodu Imologhome, Nigeria's charge d'affaires, who recently arrived in Pyongyang. During a meeting with Russian Ambassador to North Korea, Alexandr Matsegora, Imologhome outlined plans for resuming full diplomatic activities.

The Russian Embassy in Pyongyang shared this update on its Facebook page last Thursday.

The Nigerian Embassy in Pyongyang had been closed since early 2021, when North Korea shut its borders to curb the spread of COVID-19, forcing many foreign diplomats to leave. However, diplomatic relations between Nigeria and North Korea continued through the still-operational DPRK Embassy in Abuja.

Despite the closure, both nations have maintained their diplomatic ties, although there have been allegations of attempted arms trading between the two countries, potentially violating U.N. sanctions against North Korea. These claims have not been substantiated with concrete evidence.

The reopening of the embassy is part of a broader trend of countries re-establishing their diplomatic missions in North Korea. According to South Korea's unification ministry, several countries, including Sweden, Poland, Brazil, and Iran, have also restored their embassies in Pyongyang after withdrawing staff during the pandemic.

In August 2023, North Korea began reopening its borders, allowing for the return of foreign diplomats and international workers.

This move has facilitated the resumption of diplomatic activities, with Nigeria now joining other nations in re-establishing its presence in the region.

The historical ties between Nigeria and North Korea date back to 1976 when diplomatic relations were first established. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, both countries have shown a commitment to maintaining and strengthening their bilateral relations.

As Nigeria resumes its diplomatic mission in Pyongyang, it joins a select group of countries, including China, Laos, Mongolia, Vietnam, Cuba, Russia, Syria, and Egypt, which have managed to keep their embassies operational in North Korea, albeit with limited staff during the pandemic.