Chinese President Xi Jinping has reaffirmed his commitment to working closely with Nigerian President Bola Tinubu to strengthen the longstanding diplomatic friendship between China and Nigeria and to advance broader China-Africa cooperation.
The two leaders met at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing during Tinubu’s state visit, which was made at the invitation of President Xi. This high-level meeting comes just ahead of the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit, scheduled to take place in Beijing from September 4th to 6th 2024.
During their discussions, President Xi highlighted the half-century of diplomatic relations between China and Nigeria, emphasizing that both nations have fostered mutual understanding, collective strength, unity, and win-win cooperation. Xi proposed that the bilateral relationship be elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnership, positioning the upcoming FOCAC summit as a pivotal moment to enhance China-Africa relations.
“I am eager to work with President Tinubu to fully leverage the exemplary role of China-Nigeria cooperation,” Xi stated.
In response, President Tinubu expressed his gratitude for the warm invitation and noted the significance of his visit to China—his second, following his earlier visit as the Governor of Lagos. He recognized the enduring relationship between China and Nigeria and emphasized the potential for further strengthening trade and economic ties.
The meeting culminated in the signing of several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), including agreements on Belt and Road Initiative projects, news exchange cooperation, and television collaboration, among other areas.
President Tinubu was accompanied by key officials, including Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar, Senator Uba Sani, Governor of Kaduna State, and Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq of Kwara State, among others.
