CurrentReport Blog Chinese President Xi Jinping has reaffirmed his commitment to enhancing China-Nigeria relations, expressing readiness to work closely with Nigerian President Bola Tinubu to further strengthen the diplomatic ties between the two nations. This declaration was made during a high-profile meeting at the Great Hall in Beijing, where President Tinubu was on a state visit at the invitation of President Xi.
The meeting, which comes just ahead of the 2024 summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) scheduled for September 4-6 in Beijing, underscores the importance of the China-Nigeria partnership in the broader context of China-Africa relations. President Xi emphasized that since the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Nigeria half a century ago, both countries have pursued mutual understanding, collective strength, unity, and win-win cooperation.
During the discussions, President Xi proposed elevating the existing bilateral ties to the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership, highlighting the upcoming FOCAC summit as a critical opportunity to advance China-Africa cooperation. He expressed his readiness to work alongside President Tinubu to fully unleash the exemplary role of China-Nigeria diplomatic friendship in fostering stronger regional collaboration.
President Tinubu, in turn, expressed his gratitude for the warm reception and noted that this visit marked his second to China—first as the Governor of Lagos State and now as the President of Nigeria. He acknowledged the longstanding relationship between China and Nigeria, emphasizing the potential for enhanced trade and economic development through stronger bilateral cooperation.
The state visit culminated in the signing of several significant agreements, including a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Belt and Road Initiative projects, news exchange cooperation, and television cooperation, among others. These agreements are expected to pave the way for deeper economic and cultural ties between the two nations.
Accompanying President Tinubu on this historic visit were key officials, including Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar, Senator Uba Sani, Governor of Kaduna State, and Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq of Kwara State, underscoring the importance of the visit in strengthening Nigeria’s diplomatic and economic ties with China.
