Some scholars across the country have called on Nigeria and Africa alike to do more in boosting relations with China and engaging more with them, saying it will be much beneficial to the continent economically and otherwise.
The scholars who made the call at the University of Jos on Tuesday at a seminar on Bridging Africa-China Dialogue Through Scholarly Exchange, also preferred ways relation can be improved with China.
Speaking at the event organized by the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) and Contemporary World Nigeria, the Director General of IPCR, Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, said Africa-China relations holds immense potential for shaping a more prosperous, stable, and equitable future.
“The relationship between Nigeria, Africa and China is one of the most consequential of the 21st century. Characterized by deep historical roots, rapidly expanding diplomatic, economic ties, and growing people-to-people connections, this partnership holds immense potential for shaping a more prosperous, stable, and equitable future, not just for our continent, but for the world.
“Yet, realizing this potential fully requires more than trade figures and infrastructure projects, it demands a profound and nuanced mutual learning, understanding and exchanges” he said.
In his remarks, Olalekan Babatunde, explained that there are different ways Nigeria-China and Africa-China relations and cooperation can be deepened
According to him, it is important that Africans, particularly Nigerians, begin to do research with China on issues that concern the Global South and Africa; that is on issues of development, poverty, health, climate change, AI, technology, and so on.
He urged Africans to take research seriously, and begin to engage with China and also start co-authorships with Chinese scholars because they are willing to promote research and development.
On his part, Prof. Sharkdam Wapmuk of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) Kaduna urged African countries to begin prioritizing learning of Chinese language (Mandarin), rather than the lingual franca (languages) of other nations not beneficial to the continent as China.
Prof. Wapmuk pointed out learning the Chinese language and relating with them and like manner would tremendously boost Africa-China relations.
Also, the scholar defended the conceived notion that China has fake products, explaining that China has different category of products, and that it is Nigerians/Africans that go there to buy or demand for inferior products rather than high-quality ones.
High point of the event was the presentation of Contemporary World (Nigeria) Magazine 2022 – 2025