The President of Nigeria’s Senate, Godswill Akpabio, addressed the National Assembly of Côte d’Ivoire on Monday, underscoring the importance of parliamentary collaboration and unity among African nations.
Akpabio made his remarks at the opening session of the 2025 First Ordinary Session of the National Assembly of Côte d’Ivoire, held in Abidjan.
In his address, titled “Strengthening Ties, Building the Future Together,” Akpabio emphasized the need for Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire to move beyond being mere neighbours and instead deepen their partnership for the advancement of Africa. He highlighted the shared challenges facing West Africa, including youth unemployment, human trafficking, and security threats, while also stressing the vast opportunities for cooperation.
The Senate President pointed out that the future of West Africa lies in the hands of its leaders and called for greater parliamentary cooperation to facilitate stronger executive collaboration. Akpabio urged the African nations to transcend colonial borders, which he described as dividing the continent, and instead unite to form a more prosperous and cohesive region.
Akpabio further advocated for the African Continental Free Trade Area as a key tool to foster unity and economic integration across the continent. He called on the nations to collectively commit to innovation, knowledge sharing, and the expansion of trade opportunities, ensuring that future generations inherit a continent of opportunity.
The Nigerian Senate President also called for an enhancement of bilateral ties between Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire, stressing that their partnership should extend across various sectors such as trade, education, agriculture, and energy to benefit citizens of both nations.
Akpabio took a moment to commend the Speaker of the Ivorian National Assembly, Hon. Adama Bictogo, for his leadership, which he described as a beacon of reconciliation and unity. He urged the members of the Ivorian Assembly to work together to address pressing issues like human trafficking, security, and youth development.
In addition, Akpabio paid tribute to Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara, praising his leadership and congratulating him and the people of Côte d’Ivoire for their successful hosting of the 2024 African Cup of Nations. He also acknowledged Côte d’Ivoire’s victory over Nigeria in the tournament, describing it as a testament to the nation’s resilience and ability to meet challenges head-on.
The future of West Africa rests upon us. Therefore, let us not be complacent. The challenges before us are vast – youth unemployment, human trafficking, and security threats.
“Yet so too are the opportunities. Parliamentary cooperation should lead the way to deeper executive collaboration and unity.
“We must set the tone for African parliamentary engagements and cooperation. The colonialists may have cut Africa into geopolitical chunks, but we must unite, stitch the torn fabrics of our heritage, and teach the world that blood is still thicker than water.
“Let us envision a region where borders are bridges of unity, not walls of division, where trade flourishes, cultures blend, and progress becomes the right of every citizen.
“This vision is brought closer to reality by the African Continental Free Trade Area, AfCFTA, a framework that demands our collective commitment to foster innovation and cooperation.
“AfCFTA is not just a policy; it is a call to arms – a summons to tear down the barriers that divide us and build bridges that unite us.
“Let us strengthen our trade, share our knowledge, and expand our horizons. Let us ensure that the children of Côte d’Ivoire and Nigeria in particular, and Africa in general, inherit a continent where dreams are not just possible but inevitable.
“Let us deepen the bilateral relationship between Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire. Our collaboration must grow across all sectors – trade, education, agriculture, and energy – to ensure that the fruits of our partnership uplift every citizen in both nations.
“As an African proverb reminds us, ‘The river is swollen with rain, but no single drop claims responsibility.’ We are all stewards of the progress we seek, and it is only through unity that we shall achieve it,” he said.
The Senate President commended the Speaker of the Ivorian National Assembly, Hon. Adama Bictogo, for his leadership, describing it as “a symbol of reconciliation and unity.”
He urged all honourable members of the Assembly to work hand in hand to tackle the scourge of human trafficking, enhance security cooperation, and invest in the future of the youth.
Akpabio also paid tribute to Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara for his leadership and congratulated him and the people of Côte d’Ivoire for hosting, with grace and dignity, the 2024 African Cup of Nations.
“Your victory over my country Nigeria, a global football powerhouse, in that tournament was not just sporting glory; it was a proclamation to the world that Côte d’Ivoire rises to every challenge,” he said.