By Abuja, Nigeria
The Ambassador of Vietnam to Nigeria, Bui Quoc Hung, has called for deeper cooperation between the two countries in agriculture, technology and human resource development. Hung made the call after a meeting with the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress , Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe, during discussions aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between the two nations, which recently marked 50 years of diplomatic ties.
The ambassador said both countries share similar historical experiences, including struggles against colonial rule, as well as large, youthful and hardworking populations. He also highlighted Vietnam’s strategic role in Southeast Asia and Nigeria’s leadership position in West Africa, noting that both countries wield significant influence in their respective regions.
Hung congratulated the Nigerian government led by Bola Ahmed Tinubu on what he described as improvements in macroeconomic stability, including efforts to stabilise the naira and strengthen foreign reserves.
According to him, both sides agreed to expand cooperation particularly in agriculture as part of efforts to tackle food insecurity, while also promoting partnerships in information and communications technology, cultural exchanges and skills development.
Responding to questions on lessons Nigeria could draw from Vietnam, Goshwe said the country was studying Vietnam’s economic transformation as it pursues its own development plans.
He noted that Vietnam’s transition from a poor country to a developing economy offers a useful roadmap, adding that the country aims to become a middle-income nation by 2030 and a developed economy by 2045.
Goshwe said Nigeria is also investing heavily in infrastructure and human capital to drive growth, pointing to major projects such as the Sokoto–Badagry highway, the Lagos–Calabar coastal road, the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano gas pipeline and the railway linking Lagos to Maradi in neighbouring Niger.
He added that the rail link and port access in Maradi could create new trade routes for landlocked countries such as Niger and Chad, allowing them to move goods through Nigeria. According to him, Nigeria hopes to deepen cooperation with Vietnam and strengthen partnerships that support long-term development.
