The Senate president, Godswill Akpabio, has declared that Nigeria is reaping the benefits of the China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and the Belt and Road Initiative which began in 2000 and 2013 respectively.
The Senate President said this on Thursday when he addressed a visiting delegation from China led by the Vice Chairperson of the National Committee on the 14th Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), His Excellency Hu Chunhua.
Recall, the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) are two key initiatives that significantly impact China’s relationship with Africa, with FOCAC providing the framework for China-Africa cooperation, and the BRI acting as a major avenue for global infrastructure development strategy adopted by the Chinese government to invest in more than 150 countries and international organizations.
Addressing the audience, Senator Akpabio said Nigeria is “witnessing real impact, not just in infrastructure, but in trade, technology, healthcare, education, and human development,” from the initiatives.
He also expressed optimism that both countries will expand on the engagements to cover new areas such as digital innovation, green economy, capacity building, and cultural exchanges.
Hear him, “But today is not merely a ceremony of welcome — it is a celebration of kinship. For you arrive not just as guests, but as cherished friends. Friends whose bond was not born of mere treaties or tempered by protocols, but kindled in the crucible of trust, tested by time, and strengthened by the shared trials of our common journey.
“Yours is a friendship etched in history and uplifted by vision — a vision of two great nations, hands clasped in solidarity, inspired by mutual respect and sustained by enduring cooperation, striving toward a horizon of shared prosperity. This moment is not merely about crossing borders, but about deepening bonds — about journeying together into a future we are resolute to shape, side by side.
“For more than half a century, the bond between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the People’s Republic of China has grown from cautious dialogue to confident alliance. We have moved from handshakes to heartbeats.
“In that span of time, we have watched as your great nation, once besieged by the storms of poverty and isolation, rose—undaunted—like a dragon awakening to its destiny. It rose, not with fury, but with foresight; not with conquest, but with construction. A triumph of will and wisdom.
“And we in Nigeria, a nation rich in promise but tested by history, have found in China a partner who does not lecture, but listens; who does not impose, but invests; who does not retreat at the sign of difficulty, but marches forward with us into uncharted terrain.
“Therefore, we cherish China as a steadfast partner and ally whose developmental journey continues to inspire the world. The transformation of China—under the visionary leadership of the Communist Party—into a global engine of economic growth, innovation, and poverty eradication, offers valuable lessons for Nigeria and our entire continent.
“We are eager to deepen our cooperation with China to learn from its experience and adapt its principles to our own national development goals.
“Worthy of note is the remarkable presence of Chinese companies in Nigeria. From the highways that link our cities, to railways that connect our communities, and deep-sea ports that promise new economic gateways, we see the fingerprints of our shared ambition. These projects are not mere structures—they are the bridges of friendship and the arteries of progress.
“I recall with admiration the monumental State Visit of our President, H.E. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to Beijing, where two leaders—Xi Jinping and Bola Tinubu—looked beyond the moment and dared to envision a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. That decision was not merely a political gesture. It was, and remains, a declaration of shared destiny.
“Your Excellency, there is a Chinese proverb that says: “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.” Let this truth ring clear between us. For we are not here for speed—we are here for substance. We seek not just movement—we seek meaning. Our destinies are interwoven in the long march toward modernization, peace, and prosperity.
“We are particularly impressed by the role of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), and its contributions to policy-making through democratic consultation. 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.
“We gladly inform you that the outcomes of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and the Belt and Road Initiative are 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.
“Let me assure Your Excellency that this National Assembly stands ready to play its full role in advancing the implementation of all bilateral agreements, deepening parliamentary diplomacy, and ensuring that the legislative framework for Nigeria-China relations remains 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.
Let the eagle and the dragon fly—together—not just across oceans, but across time. Once again, welcome to Nigeria, the land of limitless opportunities.”
