The Czech Republic has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding economic and strategic ties with Nigeria, as its Ambassador to the country, Tomáš Výprachtický, outlined plans to strengthen cooperation across key sectors.
The ambassador spoke in Abuja on Sunday during a dinner reception held to formally unveil the Nigeria–Central Europe Chamber of Commerce (NCECC). The event was organised by the NCECC in collaboration with the Regional Trade Institute and the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Nigeria.
According to Výprachtický, the chamber is designed to serve as a meeting point for public officials, business leaders and creative industry players, providing a relaxed but purposeful environment for dialogue, collaboration and long-term partnerships.
He noted that Czech businesses and institutions have maintained a presence in Nigeria for many years, reflecting the enduring political and economic relationship between both countries. He also highlighted people-to-people ties, revealing that Nigerian priests have been serving in a Czech monastery for over seven years, describing this as one of many examples of sustained cooperation.
Describing Nigeria as a nation rich in both human and natural resources, the ambassador pointed to its strong engineering and technological capacity, stressing that his diplomatic mission is focused on unlocking and expanding mutually beneficial opportunities between both countries. He added that while progress has been made, there remains significant room for growth.
In his remarks, Dr Paschal Onyemaechi, President of the NCECC, disclosed that the chamber was officially registered in August 2025 to further strengthen relations between Nigeria and Central Europe. He explained that the organisation operates in no fewer than five countries, with a core mandate of bridging Europe and Africa.
Onyemaechi said Europe brings technology, expertise and strong business ethics to the table, while Africa offers vast natural resources, a youthful population and a dynamic market. He explained that the chamber aims to promote trade, attract investment and provide timely market intelligence on opportunities in both regions.
He added that the NCECC will also encourage global educational mobility, facilitate technology transfer and create structured platforms for business leaders, industrialists and policymakers to engage and build impactful partnerships. According to him, the initiative is unique and positioned to redefine trade relations in the region.
The NCECC president further revealed that the organisation has secured an arrangement with the Czech Republic that will help postgraduate students significantly reduce education-related costs. He also announced plans to launch the New Partnership for Development of Africa (NEPDA) project as part of its broader agenda.
One of the major highlights of the event was the inauguration of members of the NCECC Advisory Council, led by Prof. Andrew Haruna, Pro-Chancellor of Bingham University, renowned linguist and Vice-President-elect of the Nigerian Academy of Letters.
Other inducted members include Dr Rislan Kanya, Chair of the Big Data Analytics and Innovation Research Group; Dr Jamilu Gwamna, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Kano Electricity Distribution Company; Dr Dere Awosika, business leader and Chairperson of Access Bank Plc; and Mr Yakubu Dogara, former Speaker of the House of Representatives.
