The Vietnamese Government has expressed its commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation with Nigeria in key sectors such as trade, agriculture, education, and security. Vietnam’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Bui Hung, made the call on Tuesday in Abuja during events marking the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam. He noted that although relations between the two nations had improved in recent years, much of their economic and diplomatic potential remained untapped.
Hung revealed that trade between Nigeria and Vietnam reached a record $1 billion in 2024, up from an average of $600 million in previous years, largely due to increased Vietnamese imports of Nigerian crude oil. However, he cautioned against overreliance on oil, stressing that agriculture offered more sustainable prospects for long-term growth. According to him, Vietnam currently exports electronics, garments, footwear, and consumer goods to Nigeria, while importing cashew nuts and limited agricultural products in return. He pointed out that high tariffs of nearly 70 percent and consumer preference for basmati rice had restricted Vietnamese rice exports to Nigeria, despite their global popularity.
The envoy proposed greater agricultural collaboration, leveraging Vietnam’s expertise in rice production. He disclosed that Vietnamese seeds, technology, and farming methods could be introduced to Nigerian farms, citing the success of a Vietnamese farmer cultivating rice in Benue State as an example. He also called on Nigeria to fast-track a proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) that has been pending for more than a year, arguing that such an agreement would lower tariffs, boost trade flows, and mirror Vietnam’s successful partnerships with countries like Japan and South Korea.
On security and defence, Hung noted that military exchange programmes were already in place, with Nigerian officers receiving training in Vietnam and giving positive feedback. He said Vietnam was ready to expand cooperation in defence, including possible technology transfers. Similarly, in education, he emphasized the opportunities for Nigerian students in areas such as maritime studies, agribusiness, and ICT, while offering to host more Nigerians for training and capacity-building, especially in fields linked to artificial intelligence.
Despite challenges such as insecurity, the ambassador expressed optimism about the future of Nigeria-Vietnam relations. He highlighted Nigeria’s fertile land, abundant water resources, and youthful labour force as key assets for collaboration. “With the right cooperation framework, we can build strong, mutually beneficial ties between our two nations,” Hung concluded.
