President Bola Tinubu and Chinese President Xi Jinping announced the elevation of Nigeria-China relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership during their high-level meeting in Beijing on Tuesday.
The leaders also agreed to build a high-level Nigeria-China community with a shared future, following talks during President Tinubu’s official visit to China.
This visit precedes his participation in the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, scheduled to take place from September 4-6, 2024.
“This is an important visit for Nigeria and the rest of Africa, as I arrive in my capacity as the Chairman of ECOWAS. I thank you for the high level of honour accorded to us,” President Tinubu stated.
He emphasized the potential of Nigeria, highlighting its position as Africa’s most populous nation and its status as the continent’s largest economy.
“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 programs,” he added.
Tinubu noted that the newly established comprehensive strategic partnership should result in robust development, stability, and security in the West African sub-region, describing it as crucial for the region.
On economic reforms in Nigeria, President Tinubu assured President Xi that his administration is committed to sustainable growth through the effective implementation of ongoing economic reforms.
“We believe that President Xi has demonstrably reformed the Chinese economy, and our reform program in Nigeria is on a similar course. I am a reformer with verifiable antecedents,” Tinubu stated.
He also stressed the importance of facilitating investment, noting that “Trading and investment partners will have easy access to bring in their investments and seamlessly take their resources out.”
In his remarks, President Xi Jinping praised the strong mutual understanding between China and Nigeria over the past 50 years, stating, “We have found the path of seeking collective strength through unity and win-win cooperation.”
Xi emphasized that strengthening strategic coordination between China and Nigeria would inject fresh impetus into China-Africa relations and spearhead common progress among Global South countries.
During the meeting, the two leaders witnessed the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) on areas of mutual interest:
- Cooperation plan between Nigeria and China on jointly promoting the Belt and Road Initiative.
- Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the peaceful application of nuclear energy.
- Memorandum of Understanding on strengthening cooperation on human resource development under the Global Development Initiative.
- Memorandum of Understanding on media exchange and cooperation.
- Memorandum of Understanding between China Media Group and the Nigerian Television Authority.
Earlier, on Monday in Beijing, President Tinubu visited the China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC), where he commended the company’s role as a reliable partner in Nigeria’s infrastructure development. He expressed satisfaction with ongoing railway projects in the country, including the Ibadan-Abuja-Kaduna-Kano railway segments, emphasizing their importance to Nigeria and West Africa at large.
During his meeting with CRCC Chairman Mr. Dai Hegen, Tinubu assured, “We will support your investment in solid minerals and other ventures in Nigeria. I am here to assure you that Nigeria is ready to do business with you.”
Mr. Hegen noted that CRCC has been involved in Nigeria for 43 years, implementing over 300 projects and training over 100,000 local workers.
In a separate engagement, President Tinubu visited Huawei Technologies’ Beijing Research Centre, where the company announced the launch of DigiTruck, a mobile ICT classroom aimed at enhancing digital literacy in underserved Nigerian communities. Huawei’s leadership praised Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Agenda for recognizing digital technology as a critical driver of economic growth, and expressed commitment to supporting Nigeria’s digital, intelligent, and low-carbon development.
As part of these efforts, Huawei also plans to establish a joint PV test lab with Nigeria’s Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to further support the country’s energy goals.
