By Stellamaries Amuwa, Abuja
The High Commissioner of the Republic of Namibia to Nigeria, Humphrey Geiseb, has applauded Nigeria’s pivotal role in Namibia’s liberation struggle, describing the country as a steadfast ally in the fight against colonial rule and apartheid.
Speaking in Abuja during the celebration of Namibia’s 35th Independence Anniversary, Geiseb emphasised that Namibia’s freedom, attained on March 21, 1990, would not have been possible without the support of Nigeria and other frontline states.
He stated that Nigeria made a monumental contribution through political, economic, diplomatic, and logistical support to the Namibian cause. According to him, many Namibian students were trained in Nigerian institutions during the 1960s through the 1980s.
He said despite over three decades of peace and political stability, Namibia continues to battle socio-economic challenges such as unemployment and poverty. Geiseb, who stated that significant strides have been made in lifting many out of poverty, he said the task ahead remains daunting.
However, with Vision 2030 guiding national development efforts, the High Commissioner expressed optimism about the country’s journey toward sustainable prosperity. “Namibia, already recognised as a high middle-income country, faces hurdles in securing development funding due to its status, these challenges are not insurmountable,” he affirmed.
He however noted the government’s commitment to improving living standards.
Geiseb also commended the successful outcomes of the 5th Session of the Namibia-Nigeria Joint Permanent Commission of Cooperation, which resumed in February 2025 after a 15-year hiatus. “The discussions were productive and have taken our bilateral cooperation to new heights,” he stated,
Furthermore, he revealed that Namibia currently hosts two Nigerian companies Premier Charcoal and King Charcoal, which are leading exporters of quality charcoal, adding that Namibia also exports $5 to $6 million worth of salt annually to Nigeria.
The High Commissioner expressed hope that more Nigerian products will soon grace Namibian supermarket shelves, signaling a promising future for trade ties between the two nations. He said: “This year’s independence celebration was especially significant, following the historic inauguration of Dr. Netumbo Nandi Ndaitwah as Namibia’s 5th President and the first woman to hold the office, both in the country and in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.
“Her election is a moment of pride for all Namibian women,” said Geiseb, pointing to a wave of female leadership now dominating Namibia’s political landscape, including a female Vice President, nine women cabinet ministers, and a female Speaker of Parliament. As our national anthem reminds us, ‘their blood waters our freedom’ and we remain forever grateful to those who made our independence possible,” he added.
