Nigerian President Bola Tinubu and Chinese President Xi Jinping have announced the elevation of Nigeria-China relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership during President Tinubu’s official visit to China.
The two leaders, who met in Beijing, also agreed to build a high-level Nigeria-China community with a shared future, further strengthening the long-standing ties between the two countries.
“Relations between China and Nigeria have indeed lasted for over half a century and should be further strengthened to advance our trade and economic development programmes,” President Tinubu said during the meeting.
The Nigerian president highlighted the country’s great potential as the most populous nation in Africa and the continent’s largest economy, with a young population that can drive economic growth and cross-sectoral programs.
“We have upgraded the relationship to more than what is just strategic — but a comprehensive developmental partnership,” Tinubu said, emphasizing the importance of this strategic partnership in promoting robust development, stability, and security in the West African sub-region.
On economic reforms in Nigeria, President Tinubu assured his Chinese counterpart that his administration remains committed to sustainable growth through the effective implementation of ongoing economic reforms, including tax and tariff reviews, and various other segments of the nation’s economy.
“Trading and investment partners will have easy access to bring in their investments and seamlessly take their resources out,” the Nigerian president stated, underscoring the government’s efforts to create a conducive business environment.
In his remarks, President Xi noted the strong mutual understanding between Nigeria and China since the establishment of diplomatic ties over the past 50 years, highlighting the path of seeking collective strength through unity and win-win cooperation.
“China and Nigeria, as major developing countries, strengthening strategic coordination, will inject fresh impetus to China-Africa relations in the new era and spearhead common progress among Global South countries,” President Xi said.
The meeting also witnessed the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) on various areas of mutual interest, including cooperation in the Belt and Road Initiative, the peaceful application of nuclear energy, human resource development, media exchange, and cooperation between media organizations.
Additionally, during his visit, President Tinubu acknowledged the role of Chinese companies, such as the China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC) and the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), as reliable partners in Nigeria’s infrastructure development program, commending their ongoing railway projects in the country.
The president also visited Huawei Technologies’ Beijing Research Centre, where the company announced the launch of the DigiTruck initiative, a mobile ICT classroom aimed at enhancing digital literacy in underserved Nigerian communities. Huawei also expressed support for Nigeria’s National Talent Export Program (NATEP), which seeks to position the country as a hub for talent outsourcing in Africa.
The strengthening of Nigeria-China ties comes at a crucial time, as both countries navigate the challenges of the global economy and seek to foster greater cooperation and development opportunities. This strategic partnership is poised to bring significant benefits to the people of Nigeria and the wider West African region.
