The Government of Vietnam has urged stronger collaboration with Nigeria in the areas of trade, agriculture, education, and security.
Vietnam’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Bui Hung, made this appeal on Tuesday in Abuja at an event commemorating the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He observed that while ties between both nations have grown in recent years, the full potential of the partnership remains largely untapped.
Hung revealed that trade between Nigeria and Vietnam rose to $1 billion in 2024, up from an average of $600 million in previous years.
“Last year marked the first time our trade volume reached $1 billion, largely due to increased crude oil imports from Nigeria. However, oil and gas should not be the central focus. I believe agriculture offers more sustainable prospects,” he stated.
According to the envoy, Vietnam currently exports electronics, clothing, footwear, and consumer goods to Nigeria, while importing cashew nuts and a limited range of agricultural products in return.
Hung pointed out that restrictions on rice trade remain a major obstacle.
“Vietnamese rice has faced challenges entering the Nigerian market due to extremely high tariffs, nearly 70 percent. Another issue is consumer preference; Nigerians favor basmati rice, while Vietnam mainly produces jasmine and sticky rice. Yet, our rice enjoys strong demand worldwide, particularly in the United States, Japan, and across Southeast Asia,” he explained.
The envoy proposed deeper agricultural cooperation as a practical alternative, emphasizing Vietnam’s expertise in rice farming.
“We can introduce our seeds, modern technology, and farmers to work alongside Nigerian farmers. In fact, one Vietnamese farmer is already cultivating rice successfully in Benue State,” he noted.
He further revealed that a proposal for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between both countries has been awaiting Nigeria’s consideration for over a year.
“Such an agreement would help reduce tariffs and boost trade flows. Vietnam has signed similar pacts with Japan, Korea, and several other countries. We are still waiting for Nigeria’s response,” he added.
The envoy also noted education and skills development as important areas for partnership.
“Currently, Nigerian students are studying fields such as maritime studies, agribusiness, and ICT in Vietnam. We are ready to welcome more students and professionals for capacity building, particularly in this era of artificial intelligence,” he said.
While acknowledging challenges like insecurity, Hung expressed confidence in the future of bilateral relations.
“Nigeria has vast fertile land, abundant water resources, and a vibrant young workforce. With the right framework for cooperation, both nations can establish strong and mutually beneficial ties,” he concluded.
