Nigeria’s Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has requested the Chinese government to consider increasing its financial aid to the country and the African continent as a whole.
Akpabio made the appeal on Tuesday when he played host to the Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC) of China, Zhang Qingwei, who is making a first visit to Africa.
The Senate President called for greater collaboration between Nigeria and China through the strengthening of bilateral relations and support for developmental efforts.
He pointed at a declining trend in Chinese aid commitments to Africa, referencing the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) pledge, which is lower than the $60 billion pledged in 2015.
Describing the occasion as one filled with “promise and possibility,” Akpabio underscored the importance of deepening cooperation between Nigeria and China.
“While China’s trade relations with Africa have continued to grow, I want to seize the opportunity offered by your visit to call on the Chinese government to increase aid flows to Africa, and particularly to Nigeria.
“As we gaze into the horizon of possibilities, let us aspire to build a partnership that not only strengthens our economies but also enriches our cultural and social bonds,” he said.
Akpabio further called on China to leverage on Nigeria’s vast resources and vibrant culture by investing in the country.
On the parliamentary front, the Senate President proposed the creation of a Nigeria-China Parliamentary Friendship Group to enhance mutual learning and cooperation tailored towards the exchange of parliamentary ideas.
“We can begin this mutually beneficial relationship by establishing the Nigeria/China Parliamentary Friendship Group to continue exchanging ideas on how we can assist both parliamentary institutions,” Akpabio said.
In his remarks, the leader of the Chinese delegation, Zhang Qingwei, reaffirmed his country’s commitment to Nigeria’s growth, describing the West African nation as a valued partner.
He added that his visit is in furtherance of previous discussions between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during Tinubu’s visit to China in September.
“Our visit is to consolidate China-Nigeria friendship and mutual trust, enhance exchanges between legislatures, and step up communications in various areas to elevate bilateral relations to a new height,” Zhang said.
