Vietnam seeks stronger cooperation with Nigeria on agriculture and technology

By Zainab Uzomah| Abuja

The Vietnamese ambassador to Nigeria, Bui Quoc Hung, has called for deeper cooperation between Vietnam and Nigeria in key sectors including agriculture, technology and human resource development.

Speaking after a meeting with the national chairman of APC, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe; Mr Hung said discussions focused on strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries, which recently marked 50 years of diplomatic ties. He noted that Vietnam and Nigeria share several similarities, including histories of resistance against colonial rule and large, youthful and hardworking populations.

Mr Hung also highlighted Vietnam’s role in Southeast Asia and Nigeria’s leadership position in West Africa, saying both countries hold strategicinfluence in their respective regions. He congratulated Nigeria’s government, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on what he described as improvements in macroeconomic stability, including efforts to stabilise the naira and strengthen foreign reserves.

According to the ambassador, both sides agreed to expand cooperation particularly in agriculture to help address food insecurity, while also promoting partnerships in information and communications technology, cultural exchanges and skills development. Nigerian officials said they were also interested in learning from Vietnam’s economic transformation and long-term development plans.

Prof Yilwatda in response to questions about lessons Nigeria has drawn from Vietnam responded saying the country is drawing lessons from Vietnam’s economic transformation as it pursues its own development plans.

He said Vietnam’s progress from a poor country to a developing economy offers a clear roadmap. Vietnam aims to become a middle-income country by 2030 and a developed nation by 2045.

The chairman said Nigeria is also investing heavily in infrastructure and human capital to drive growth. He pointed to major projects including the Sokoto–Badagry highway, the Lagos–Calabar coastal road, the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano gas pipeline and a railway linking Lagos to Maradi in neighbouring Niger.

He added that the rail link and port access in Maradi could open trade routes for landlocked countries such as Niger and Chad, allowing themto move goods through Nigeria. He said Nigeria hoped to deepen cooperation with Vietnam and work together as partners in development.