By Chukwudi Obasi, Abuja
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, said Nigeria and China should work towards exceeding the current bilateral trade volume of $13 billion.
He called for better bilateral cooperation and stronger ties between both countries.
The Speaker said this in Abuja when the Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China, Mr. Zhang Qingwei, visited him at his office in company with the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Yu Dunhai, and other officials of the Chinese parliament and embassy.
Abbas also noted that while the House has over 70 parliamentary friendship groups, the Nigeria-China Parliamentary Friendship Group has remained the most active and beneficial.
He said, “The bond between Nigeria and China is one of mutual respect, collaboration, and shared aspirations. Over the years, this partnership has yielded remarkable outcomes in trade, infrastructure development, technology transfer, and cultural exchanges.
“According to recent reports, the trade volume between our countries has surpassed $13bn annually, making China Nigeria’s largest trading partner. This relationship has facilitated the growth of Nigeria’s economy through investments in critical sectors such as rail, agriculture, and manufacturing.
“We also commend China’s commitment to the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). The outcomes of the recently concluded summit, held from 4th to 6th September, reaffirmed China’s unwavering dedication to fostering partnerships with African nations, including Nigeria. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s participation underscored Nigeria’s commitment to leveraging FOCAC’s framework to advance our national development goals.
“As the People’s House and the largest legislative and representative body in Nigeria, we are delighted to host you. Your visit reflects the growing friendship between Nigeria and China, which we deeply value,” the Speaker told Qingwei and the other Chinese guests.
The Speaker said the visit provides an invaluable opportunity to explore ways of deepening the ties between the Nigerian National Assembly and the Parliament of China. He noted that the House has already taken proactive steps by establishing the Nigeria-China Friendship Group, actively fostering closer ties and promoting bilateral cooperation.
Abbas told the Chinese officials that the Nigerian Government, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, remains committed to advancing Nigeria’s partnership with China. He said this commitment aligns with the shared vision of sustainable development and inclusive growth for the people. He noted that “the National Assembly is ready to provide the legislative framework necessary to facilitate and support initiatives that strengthen Nigeria-China relations.”
He added that the Nigeria-China Friendship Group could be pivotal in negotiating legislative incentives that attract Chinese investments into critical sectors such as manufacturing, technology, and agriculture.
Abbas said this can be complemented by efforts to develop a bilateral legislative framework that enhances trade relations, reduces barriers to Nigerian exports, and creates sustainable mechanisms to improve trade balances.
Earlier in his speech, Qingwei called for better cooperation between China and Nigeria, especially between the countries’ legislatures. He also sought more bilateral deals to inject fresh ideas from both sides.
The Chinese parliamentarian expressed his country’s interest in having more exchange programmes with Nigeria. “We are willing to step up exchanges,” he said.
