Nigeria-China Relationship Strategic – President Tinubu

By Ayodele Oni

With diplomatic ties of over 50 years, Nigeria and China have continued to explore new avenues to strengthen the relationship.

To this end, President Bola Tinubu and Chinese President Xi Jinping, on Tuesday in Beijing, China, announced the elevation of Nigeria-China ties to that of a comprehensive strategic partnership.

The leaders also agreed to build a high-level Nigeria-China community with a shared future.

State House statement by presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngalele, stated that this was the outcome of talks between the two leaders during President Tinubu’s official visit to China.

President Tinubu’s official visit precedes his participation in the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, scheduled to hold 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.

”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.

”Nigeria holds great potential as the country with the largest population in Africa and is the biggest economy with a very young population that can drive economic growth and cross-sectoral programmes.

”We have upgraded the relationship to more than what is just strategic — but a comprehensive developmental partnership.

”This comprehensive strategic partnership should result in robust development, stability, and security in the West African sub-region. This is very crucial

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.

”We have found 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.”