The President of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has emphasized the need for closer cooperation between Nigeria’s parliament and its Chinese counterpart to enhance diplomatic, trade, and legislative relations. The call came during a courtesy visit on Wednesday by the newly appointed Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, accompanied by officials from the Chinese Embassy.
During the meeting, Akpabio pointed to the importance of leveraging the outcomes of President Bola Tinubu’s recent visit to China and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) held in September. He underscored the significance of strengthening parliamentary engagement as a vital pathway to deepening bilateral ties.
“We want to urge you to continue in that line of helping to improve diplomatic and trade relations between Nigeria and China, especially by promoting democratic relations through the Parliament,” Akpabio stated.
To solidify the partnership, Senator Akpabio proposed establishing a Nigeria-China Parliamentary Friendship Group. This initiative, he noted, would facilitate the exchange of ideas and foster robust cooperation between the legislative bodies of both nations.
“Nigeria has a lot to learn from China, and we are very prepared to do so. I thank you for visiting the Nigerian Senate. I welcome and assure you of our cooperation to assist in ensuring a fraternal relationship between our two countries,” he added.
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Ambassador Yu Dunhai, in his remarks, highlighted the longstanding and growing momentum in Nigeria-China relations. He noted that President Tinubu’s recent visit to Beijing had resulted in the signing of several strategic bilateral agreements, reinforcing the foundation for deeper collaboration.
“Cooperation between our legislatures is a very important part of our bilateral relations,” Yu remarked. “I am looking forward to working with people from all walks of life to translate the important consensus reached by our leaders into action.”
The ambassador commended Senator Akpabio for his commitment to strengthening Nigeria-China relations and expressed optimism about fostering deeper parliamentary ties.
The meeting underscored the role of legislative diplomacy as a key driver of Nigeria-China relations, which have grown significantly in recent years. From infrastructure development to trade, the partnership between the two nations has yielded substantial benefits, making it one of Africa’s most dynamic bilateral relationships.
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China remains one of Nigeria’s largest trading partners, with collaboration extending beyond commerce to areas such as technology, education, and infrastructure development. Initiatives like the proposed Nigeria-China Parliamentary Friendship Group aim to further deepen this collaboration by encouraging knowledge sharing and joint legislative efforts.
As Nigeria and China continue to navigate their partnership, the emphasis on legislative cooperation signals a forward-thinking approach to international diplomacy. By fostering closer ties between their parliaments, both nations can not only enhance mutual understanding but also build a stronger framework for addressing shared challenges and opportunities.
The visit of Ambassador Yu Dunhai and the discussions held with Senator Akpabio serve as a testament to the enduring importance of diplomacy and collaboration in shaping the future of Nigeria-China relations. With the groundwork laid by their leaders, both nations are poised to achieve greater heights in their bilateral partnership.