The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agricultural Colleges and Institutions, Senator Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli, has called for strengthened bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and the People’s Republic of China to boost agricultural research, innovation, and capacity development.
Alli made the call during a courtesy visit by members of the committee to the Chinese Embassy in Abuja on Wednesday, where he emphasized the need to leverage China’s technological expertise and global leadership in agriculture to transform Nigeria’s agricultural institutions.
According to him, the visit was part of ongoing efforts to forge strategic alliances with China and its affiliated agencies, noting that such collaboration would play a crucial role in advancing sustainable agricultural practices and improving food security in Nigeria.
The lawmaker also used the occasion to formally notify the Chinese government of the upcoming First National Legislative Summit and Expo on Agricultural Colleges and Research Institutions scheduled to hold from May 11 to 13, 2026, at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan, Oyo State.
He said the summit would provide a platform for stakeholders to showcase innovations, build capacity, and chart a path for the growth of agricultural research institutions across the country.
“Alli noted that collaboration with China would enhance visibility, accelerate development, and enable Nigerian agricultural institutions to articulate their goals and aspirations effectively.”
Highlighting the importance of agriculture to Nigeria’s economy, the senator described the sector as a critical driver of rural development, job creation, and hunger reduction. He added that China’s advancements in mechanized farming, smart irrigation systems, and technology-driven agricultural solutions could significantly benefit Nigeria.
He further expressed the committee’s readiness to explore opportunities in areas such as artificial intelligence for soil and climate monitoring, infrastructure development, and modern farming techniques.
Alli commended the Chinese government for its continued support to Nigeria’s agricultural sector and urged it to deepen its involvement in the committee’s programmes, noting that such engagement would bring renewed momentum to ongoing reforms.
The senator also appreciated the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, as well as representatives of Green Agriculture West Africa, including Mr. Zhang and Mr. Wang Jun, for their previous visit to the National Assembly in May 2025.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the National Assembly to strengthening legislation that promotes bilateral cooperation and good governance in Nigeria.
Abuja Times reports that the visit is expected to pave the way for deeper collaboration between Nigeria and China in agricultural research, technology transfer, and sustainable development initiatives.