Relationship dossier
Nigeria
Switzerland
Relationship assessment
Cooperation on the recovery and return of Abacha-linked assets is a notable feature of Nigeria–Switzerland relations.
Nigeria toward Switzerland
+30Nigeria cooperated with Switzerland and the World Bank on arrangements for returning and monitoring approximately $321 million in assets linked to Sani Abacha, including through a 2017 agreement.
Switzerland toward Nigeria
+35Switzerland agreed with Nigeria and the World Bank on the return and monitoring of approximately $321 million in Abacha-linked assets, which were repatriated to Nigeria in 2017.
Overall relationship
+30The 2017 tripartite arrangement for returning and monitoring Abacha-linked assets provides a concrete basis for bilateral cooperation. The available picture of other sustained government-to-government collaboration or significant disputes is limited.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
Nigeria and Switzerland have cooperated on recovering and returning funds linked to former Nigerian leader Sani Abacha. In 2017, the governments agreed with the World Bank on arrangements for returning and monitoring approximately $321 million in assets. This is a concrete area of bilateral cooperation, though the broader scope and continuity of government-to-government engagement are unclear.
Key developments
Nigeria, Switzerland, and the World Bank agreed on arrangements for the return and monitoring of approximately $321 million in Abacha-linked assets.
Switzerland repatriated approximately $321 million in Abacha-linked assets to Nigeria under the tripartite arrangements.
Major uncertainties
- The scope of bilateral cooperation beyond the Abacha asset-recovery arrangements is unclear.
- The extent of continuing cooperation on asset recovery and implementation of monitoring arrangements is uncertain.