The Nigerian Senate President, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, has emphasized the need for closer cooperation between the Nigerian and Korean parliaments. Lawan made this statement during a visit by a special envoy of the President of Korea, Mr. Kab Yoon Jeong, in Abuja on Sunday.
Lawan stated that the relationship between the Nigerian and Korean parliaments would benefit from working together and exchanging visits. The Senate President revealed plans to create a joint committee that would promote visits and collaboration between the parliaments of both countries.
“The next Assembly which will be inaugurated on the 13th of June will look into working for Nigeria’s National Assembly-Korean Parliament relationship so that we have a joint committee that will be involved in exchange of visits between the parliaments. This will create a better relationship not only with the countries as it is, which is largely at the moment, concentrated on the executive side of government but also to have the parliaments of Korea and Nigeria exchange visits and working together to enhance the relationship between our two countries,” Lawan said.
During the visit, Lawan applauded the growth in trade between Nigeria and Korea. He acknowledged the increasing traffic of Nigerian businessmen to Korea and expressed optimism that Nigeria would make a larger impact in the Korean business sector. He also acknowledged the significant presence of Nigerian students in Korea and praised the Korean government for providing support through scholarships and creating a conducive environment for the pursuit of academic excellence.
The leader of the delegation, Mr. Jeong, expressed his desire for closer cooperation between Nigeria and Korea and extended an invitation to the leadership of the Nigerian Parliament to attend the 2024 Africa-Korea Summit being planned by President Yoon Suk Yeol administration of the Republic of Korea.
Lawan welcomed the invitation and expressed Nigeria’s willingness to play a leading role, saying: “We take Korea as one of our major trading partners and I believe that it is because our business men and women find it very encouraging. That is why they can go to Korea and do a lot of business.”
The visit by the Korean delegation took place ahead of the Presidential inauguration event scheduled for Monday, which Lawan described as a significant event for the Nigerian democracy.