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Nigeria and China have reaffirmed their resolve to expand bilateral cooperation, with both countries pledging to strengthen engagement in trade, investment, technology, infrastructure and other strategic sectors as they mark 55 years of diplomatic relations.
The commitment was made when the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, received the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters in Abuja.
During the meeting, the two officials reviewed the longstanding partnership between both countries and discussed ways to strengthen the Nigeria–China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership through increased collaboration in industrialisation, energy, agriculture, education and people-to-people exchanges.
According to a statement by the Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, on Tuesday, Enikanolaiye reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the One-China Policy and expressed appreciation for China’s continued support for the country’s economic transformation agenda under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The minister also welcomed China’s zero-tariff policy for eligible Nigerian exports, saying it offers significant opportunities to increase Nigeria’s exports to the Chinese market, boost value addition and create employment.
Ambassador Yu, while congratulating Enikanolaiye on his appointment, conveyed the goodwill of the Chinese government and reiterated Beijing’s readiness to deepen practical cooperation with Nigeria across priority sectors.
He disclosed that Nigeria’s exports to China had risen by more than 88 per cent since the implementation of the zero-tariff policy.
The Chinese envoy also applauded Nigeria’s participation in the inaugural meeting of the World Artificial Intelligence Organization and encouraged the country to become a founding member of the global body.
Responding, the minister said the proposal would be presented to the appropriate government agencies for consideration.
Both countries agreed to sustain high-level consultations and broaden cooperation in science and technology, the digital economy, and regional peace and security.
