The Nigerian Senate on Tuesday hosted a historic visit by His Excellency Zhang Qingwei, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People’s Congress of China. The visit, the first of its kind by a Chinese parliamentary leader, was warmly received by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, who called for deeper bilateral relations between the two nations.
Akpabio described the occasion as a milestone in Nigeria-China relations, highlighting decades of collaboration since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1971.
He noted the significance of the visit, which coincided with Nigeria’s recent celebration of the 25th anniversary of its space program, as a symbol of shared aspirations for progress.
“Your Excellency, this visit is historic and reaffirms the enduring friendship and mutual respect between our two nations. Together, we can deepen this partnership for the benefit of our people,” Akpabio said.
The Senate President commended China for its role in Africa’s economic transformation, particularly in infrastructure and trade. He cited China’s position as Africa’s largest bilateral trading partner, with trade volumes reaching $292 billion in 2023.
Akpabio acknowledged China’s support for Nigeria, including over $3.1 billion in infrastructure loans disbursed between 2013 and 2022, which revitalized critical sectors such as railways, ports, and airports.
While expressing gratitude, Akpabio urged China to increase aid and investment in Nigeria, especially in light of economic challenges.
“We call on China to enhance its support for Nigeria through increased aid flows and expanded investments that will further strengthen our economies,” he said.
Akpabio emphasized the importance of legislative collaboration and proposed the establishment of a Nigeria-China Parliamentary Friendship Group to foster dialogue and exchange ideas.
“Nigeria and China can learn from each other’s legislative systems to improve governance and deepen democratic relations. Stronger inter-parliamentary ties will enhance mutual understanding and cooperation,” he stated.
Akpabio called for joint ventures that would leverage Nigeria’s vast resources and dynamic population to foster innovation and development. He stressed that the partnership should extend beyond trade to cultural and social bonds that uplift citizens in both countries.
“As we forge ahead, let us work on projects that transform lives and modernize our nations. Together, we can create a legacy of cooperation that echoes through generations,” Akpabio remarked.
The Senate President concluded by reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening ties with China. He cited an African proverb, “If you want to go far, go together,” as a reflection of the shared journey toward mutual progress.
The visit by Zhang Qingwei is expected to open new avenues for collaboration in trade, infrastructure, and legislative governance, reinforcing the long-standing friendship between Nigeria and China.