Senate President Godswill Akpabio has called for enhanced collaboration between Nigeria’s parliament and its Chinese counterpart to deepen diplomatic, trade, and legislative ties.
Akpabio made this appeal on Wednesday during a courtesy visit by the new Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, and other officials from the Chinese Embassy at his office in Abuja.
Highlighting the outcomes of President Bola Tinubu’s recent visit to China and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in September, Akpabio urged the Chinese government to bolster parliamentary engagement as a means to strengthen relations between the two nations.
“We urge you to continue fostering improved diplomatic and trade relations between Nigeria and China, especially by promoting democratic relations through the Parliament,” Akpabio stated.
He proposed the creation of a Nigeria-China Parliamentary Friendship Group to facilitate idea exchange and strengthen cooperation between the legislative bodies of both countries.
“Nigeria has much to learn from China, and we are ready to do so. I thank you for visiting the Nigerian Senate and assure you of our support in building a fraternal relationship between our nations,” he added.
In response, Ambassador Yu Dunhai praised the growing momentum in Nigeria-China relations, emphasizing the significance of President Tinubu’s recent visit to Beijing, which led to the signing of multiple bilateral agreements.
“Cooperation between our legislatures is a vital aspect of our bilateral relations,” Yu noted. “I look forward to working with various stakeholders to implement the important agreements reached by our leaders.”
The ambassador also lauded Akpabio’s commitment to strengthening ties, expressing optimism about fostering deeper parliamentary relations.
The meeting underscored the role of legislative diplomacy as a key driver of Nigeria-China relations, which have seen remarkable growth in trade, infrastructure development, and other critical sectors.
