Akpabio Calls For Closer Ties, Deepening Of Parliamentary Collaboration With China
The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio has called for closer ties between Nigeria and People’s Republic of China.
He also advocated deepening of Parliamentary collaboration between the two countries.
Akpabio made the call when a Chinese delegation led by the Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the 14th Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference(CPPCC), Hu Chunchua paid him a courtesy visit in his office at the National Assembly.
CPPCC is a political advisory body in China and a central part of the Chinese Communist Party’s United Front System.
Receiving his guests, Akpabio said Nigeria is particularly impressed by the role of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), and its contributions to policy-making through democratic consultation.
The Senate President said “It is a model of inclusivity and strategic consensus-building. Therefore, we welcome closer ties and greater exchanges between the Nigerian Parliament and the CPPCC, for mutual learning and institutional cooperation.
Akpabio said Nigeria is eager to deepen cooperation with China, to learn from its experience and adapt its principles to “our own national development goals.”
The Senate President recalled President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s State Visit to China where he, together with the Chinese leader, Xi Jinping, envisioned a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Nigeria and China.
“That decision was not merely a political gesture. It was, and remains, a declaration of shared destiny,” the Senate President said.
Akpabio assured the Chinese delegation that the 10th National Assembly stood ready to play its full role in advancing the implementation of all bilateral agreements, deepening parliamentary diplomacy and ensuring that the legislative framework for the Nigeria-China relations remained robust, fruitful and forward-looking.
“Your Excellency, in summary, Nigeria is ready. Ready for the next chapter. Ready to turn blueprints into skylines. Ready to turn MoUs into monuments. Ready to dream not in isolation, but in partnership—with China at our side.
“May this visit mark not an end, but a beginning—not a celebration of what we have done, but a call to action for what we must still achieve,” Akpabio said.
Akpabio also informed the vistors that the outcomes of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and the Belt and Road Initiative were bearing fruit in Nigeria.
“We are witnessing real impact, not just in infrastructure, but in trade, technology, healthcare, education, and human development.
“We hope to continue expanding our engagements across new frontiers, especially in digital innovation, green economy, capacity building and cultural exchange.
“We are also aware of some challenges—especially around trade imbalances and visa reciprocity—and we believe that through honest dialogue, mutual understanding, and continued diplomatic engagement, we can overcome these hurdles and strengthen the foundations of our cooperation.”
Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Hu Chunchua described Nigeria as a major country in Africa with extreme influence stressing that China always attach great importance to its relationship with Nigeria.
Chunchua said “my visit is to enhance communication and cooperation between the CPPCC and relevant institutions in Nigeria to better implement the important consensus reached by our two Presidents and the outcome of the Beijing Summit to deepen the China-Nigeria Comprehensive and Strategic Partnership.”
