By: Ekunkonye Junior in Abuja.
The Nigerian Senate has called on the Federal Government to initiate diplomatic discussions with China over business visa facilitation for Nigerian traders and businessmen, as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral trade and address perceived imbalances in the relationship between the two countries.
The call formed part of resolutions adopted following a motion moved by Senator Tahir Mohammed Monguno, which attracted support from Senator Abdul Ningi and other senators during plenary.
The Senate noted that Nigeria and China have maintained bilateral relations spanning several decades, with trade and commercial activities between the two countries continuing to expand.
Lawmakers cited figures indicating that bilateral trade reached approximately $18 billion in the first half of 2025, representing a 25 per cent year-on-year increase, according to the figures presented during the motion.
The senators argued that the growing volume of trade underscored the need for Nigeria to establish more favourable arrangements that would enable its traders, businessmen and aviation operators to participate more effectively in the Chinese market.
Contributing, Senator Abdul Ningi, representing Bauchi Central, expressed concern that Nigerian business operators faced considerable difficulties travelling to China, often relying on connecting flights through other international destinations.
He also raised concerns over the activities of some Chinese business operators in Nigeria, particularly in the solid minerals sector, calling for appropriate enforcement of existing regulations and procedures.
The lawmaker stressed that Nigeria must protect its economic interests and ensure that bilateral engagements with China translated into tangible benefits for Nigerian businesses and citizens.
He further called on the Federal Government to encourage indigenous airlines to expand their international operations, arguing that direct flights could improve business connectivity and help retain more foreign exchange within the country.
The Senate consequently urged the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs to initiate diplomatic discussions with China on business visa facilitation for Nigerian traders and businessmen, alongside reciprocal allocation of flight operations to Chinese airports.
The upper chamber also mandated the relevant committee to ensure compliance with its resolutions and report back within four weeks, as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria-China economic relations on the basis of reciprocity and mutual benefit.
