- China and Nigeria signed several key agreements, including on the Belt and Road Initiative and nuclear energy. The leaders emphasised stronger economic and strategic ties.
- President Xi and Tinubu finalised new MOUs on trade, nuclear cooperation, and media exchange. The agreements significantly boost bilateral relations.
In a recent high-level meeting, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu and Chinese President Xi Jinping underscored the deepening partnership between their nations, concluding with several key Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs). These agreements mark a significant step in enhancing bilateral cooperation and advancing mutual interests.
President Tinubu emphasised Nigeria’s commitment to robust economic reform as a pathway to sustainable growth. He highlighted his administration’s dedication to implementing reforms across various sectors, including tax and tariff reviews.
“We believe President Xi has demonstrably reformed the Chinese economy, and our reform programme in Nigeria is similar. I am a reformer with verifiable antecedents,” President Tinubu declared. He assured that Nigeria is creating an investment-friendly environment that facilitates both the entry of foreign investments and the smooth repatriation of resources.
President Xi Jinping acknowledged the longstanding and fruitful relationship between China and Nigeria, which has existed for over 50 years. He praised the solid mutual understanding developed over this period and emphasised the importance of continued strategic coordination between the two countries.
“China and Nigeria, as major developing countries, strengthening strategic coordination, will inject fresh impetus into China-Africa relations in the new era and spearhead common progress among Global South countries,” President Xi stated.
The meeting was a platform for both leaders to reaffirm their commitment to the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) framework, which aims to strengthen ties and enhance cooperation between China and African nations. President Xi also noted that the upcoming 2024 FOCAC Summit would provide an opportunity to reflect on the mutual friendships and advance the consolidation of China-Africa relations.
During the summit, several MOUs were signed to solidify this cooperative spirit. Notable agreements include a cooperation plan to jointly promote the Belt and Road Initiative, a memorandum on the peaceful application of nuclear energy, and an agreement to enhance human resource development under the Global Development Initiative.
Additionally, MOUs focused on media exchange and cooperation, including a collaboration between China Media Group and Nigeria’s National Television Authority. These agreements reflect a shared vision for deepening economic, strategic, and cultural ties between China and Nigeria, marking a new chapter in their bilateral relationship.