North Korea and Nigeria signed a cooperation agreement to promote the exchange of knowledge in information technology and the use of modern technology between the two countries’ public sectors on Wednesday.

The agreement was announced as part of a nine point communique that marked the end of the 4^th Session of the Nigeria-DPRK meeting in Abuja.  Nigeria’s Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of foreign affairs Dr Martin Uhomoihbi and the DPRK’s Vice Minister of Trade Ri Myong San jointly read out the communique.

The two countries also agreed to facilitate the exchange of experts, technicians and university professors between the DPRK and Nigerian universities. Under the agreement, educational institutions would be able to carry out joint research projects covering a variety of sectors including energy, industrial technology and agriculture.

North Korea and Nigeria formally established diplomatic relations in 1976 and signed a similar cooperation agreement in 2012.

“One remarkable thing about our relations is that it has never been for once disrupted or frosty and this, indeed, is a testimony to very cordial and warm relations existing between both countries.” Uhomoihbi told assembled reporters at the event.  He added that the two countries both faced “teething development challenges”.

The two countries were keen to signal their strengthening ties, with North Korea announcing its desire to see Nigeria on the UN Security Council.

“We wish Nigeria becomes a permanent member of the UN Security Council and play a greater role in representing and protecting the interests of African people in the international arena,” San said at the press conference for the event.

The news comes four days after North Korea launched a tirade or racist slurs on President Obama, via their state run news outlet KCNA.

Featured Image: Ri Sok Chol (R) and Mustapha Bellow (L) sign a memorandum of understanding in December 2012, source KCNA