President Bola Tinubu has reiterated the importance of strengthening the relationship between Nigeria and China to advance trade and economic development.
Speaking on Tuesday during a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, Tinubu highlighted the deepening of Nigeria-China ties, elevating them to a comprehensive strategic partnership.
During the meeting, Tinubu outlined his administration’s ongoing efforts to reform the Nigerian economy, declaring himself “a reformer with verifiable antecedents.”
He also underscored Nigeria’s potential as Africa’s most populous country, with a young population that can significantly drive economic growth.
“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 honor accorded to us,” said Tinubu, as quoted by Ajuri Ngelale, the presidential spokesperson.
“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,” Tinubu noted.
“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 programs.”
“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,” he added.
Tinubu praised China’s economic reforms under President Xi and likened Nigeria’s current reform trajectory to China’s.
“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. We have recognized the need to reform our economy, and we are doing so diligently across tax and tariff reviews to various other segments of our nation’s economy,” he said.
“Trading and investment partners will have easy access to bring in their investments and seamlessly take their resources out,” Tinubu assured.
On his part, President Xi Jinping expressed optimism about the future of China-Nigeria relations, stating, “Strengthening strategic coordination will inject fresh impetus to China-Africa relations in the new era and spearhead common progress among Global South countries.”
Ngelale reported that both presidents witnessed the signing of several memoranda of understanding (MoUs), which include a cooperation plan between Nigeria and China on jointly promoting the Belt and Road Initiative. Other agreements cover cooperation in the peaceful application of nuclear energy, strengthening human resource development under the Global Development Initiative, media exchange and cooperation, and a MoU between China Media Group and the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).
The two leaders also committed to building a high-level Nigeria-China community with a shared future.
President Tinubu had departed Abuja last Thursday for this official visit to China and is also expected to attend the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), scheduled for September 4 to 6.
