On Tuesday, November 26, Senate President Godswill Akpabio welcomed a high-ranking Chinese delegation led by Zhang Qingwei, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC) of China. During their meeting, Akpabio appealed to the Chinese government to increase its financial support to Africa, with particular emphasis on Nigeria. The visit marked Qingwei’s first trip to Africa, which Akpabio described as a significant and historic occasion.
In his remarks, Akpabio emphasized the need for China to expand its aid programs to Nigeria, especially in light of recent trends showing a decrease in financial pledges to Africa. Highlighting the importance of collaboration, he urged the Chinese government to strengthen its partnership with Nigeria, not just economically but also in terms of cultural and social exchanges.
Akpabio expressed optimism about deepening ties, stating that projects involving both nations could significantly improve citizens’ lives and contribute to modernization efforts. He described Nigeria as a country rich in natural resources, cultural diversity, and untapped potential. He encouraged China to invest further in Nigeria to transform it into a hub of innovation and opportunities, beyond merely being a marketplace.
Reflecting on the progress made in recent years, Akpabio noted that diplomatic efforts between Nigeria and China had yielded positive results. He highlighted the growth in trade and the signing of various agreements that set the stage for future collaborations. These developments, according to Akpabio, underscore the potential for even greater achievements if the partnership is nurtured further.
He also called for a stronger focus on parliamentary cooperation, describing it as a vital aspect of bilateral relations. Akpabio emphasized the importance of enhancing exchanges between the Nigerian National Assembly and the Chinese NPC. He proposed the creation of a Nigeria-China Parliamentary Friendship Group, which would foster dialogue and promote mutual learning between the two legislative bodies.
Akpabio praised the unique structure of China’s legislative system, the NPC, which is the world’s largest legislative body with approximately 3,000 members. He noted that Nigeria could benefit from studying China’s political and legislative practices while offering insights into its own bicameral parliamentary system. This mutual exchange of ideas, he said, could lead to more robust and dynamic governance in both countries.
In response, Zhang Qingwei spoke about the purpose of his visit, which was to advance the agreements reached by Chinese President Xi Jinping and Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during Tinubu’s visit to China in September. Qingwei reaffirmed China’s commitment to strengthening its relationship with Nigeria through enhanced cooperation in various sectors.
He highlighted China’s support for Nigeria’s development and reform efforts, expressing hope that the partnership would bring about significant progress. Qingwei also stressed the importance of deepening legislative exchanges as part of the broader effort to elevate bilateral relations to new heights.
The meeting between Akpabio and Qingwei underscored the growing partnership between Nigeria and China. Both leaders expressed a shared vision of fostering deeper ties through trade, diplomacy, and parliamentary collaboration. They agreed on the importance of maintaining mutual trust and working together on projects that could benefit both nations.
As the discussions concluded, it became clear that the relationship between Nigeria and China is poised for further growth. The exchange of ideas during this historic visit highlighted the potential for greater cooperation, not only in trade and infrastructure development but also in governance and cultural exchanges. Both sides appeared eager to explore new avenues for collaboration that could bring lasting benefits to their citizens.
Akpabio’s meeting with Zhang Qingwei was a significant step forward in strengthening Nigeria-China relations. With promises of increased collaboration and a focus on shared goals, the partnership between the two nations has the potential to reach new levels of success in the years to come.
