President Bola Tinubu and Chinese President Xi Jinping have announced the elevation of Nigeria-China ties to that of a comprehensive strategic partnership.
The leaders, yesterday, in Beijing, China, also agreed to build a high-level Nigeria-China community with a shared future. This was the outcome of talks between the two leaders during Tinubu’s official visit to the Asian country.
Tinubu’s official visit precedes his participation in the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), scheduled to hold from September 4 to 6, 2024.
“This is an important visit for Nigeria and the rest of Africa, as I arrive in my capacity as the Chairman of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). I thank you for the high-level of honour accorded to us.
“Relations between China and Nigeria have lasted for over half a century and should be further strengthened to advance our trade and economic development programmes,” Tinubu said.
According to him, Nigeria holds great potential as the country with the largest population in Africa and the biggest economy with a very young population that can drive economic growth and cross-sectoral programmes.
He added: “This comprehensive strategic partnership should result in robust development, stability and security in the West African sub-region. This is very crucial.”
On economic reforms in Nigeria, Tinubu told his Chinese counterpart that Nigeria remains committed to sustainable growth through the effective implementation of ongoing economic reforms.
“We believe that President Xi has demonstrably reformed the Chinese economy, and our reform programme in Nigeria is on a similar course. I am a reformer with verifiable antecedents.
“We have recognised 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. Trading and investment partners will have easy access to bring in their investments and seamlessly take their resources out,” the President stated.
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,” he said.
According to the Chinese leader, the 2024 FOCAC Summit provides an opportunity to reflect on mutual friendships and advance the consolidation of China-Africa relations.
He pledged that China and Nigeria would continue to work closely within the FOCAC framework as a model of cooperation between nations. During the meeting, both presidents witnessed the signing of many Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in various areas of mutual interest, including a cooperation plan between Nigeria and China on jointly promoting the Belt and Road Initiative, cooperation in the peaceful application of Nuclear Energy, strengthening cooperation on Human Resource Development under the Global Development Initiative, exchange between China Media Group and the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).
Earlier, on Monday in Beijing, Tinubu visited the China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC), during which he acknowledged the company’s role as a reliable partner in Nigeria’s infrastructure development programme, commending its ongoing railway projects in the country.
“It is equally very important that we give assurances to the Nigerian people across our local communities that the Ibadan-Abuja-Kaduna-Kano railway segments will be completed and done to the satisfaction of Nigeria and West Africa at large.
“We will support your investment in solid minerals and other ventures in Nigeria. I am here to assure you that Nigeria is ready to do business with you,” Tinubu said during a meeting with the Chairman of CRCC, Mr Dai Hegen, following a tour of the CRCC and China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) office in Beijing.
Hegen informed the President that CRCC had been involved in Nigeria for 43 years, implementing over 300 projects and training over 100,000 local workers, adding: “The Abuja-Kaduna Railway and Lagos-Ibadan Railway have transported approximately nine million passengers and 180 tonnes of cargo. The Lagos Blue Line has transported over 1.6 million passengers.”
Tinubu also visited Huawei Technologies’ Beijing Research Centre, where the company announced the launch of DigiTruck, a mobile Information and Communication Technology (ICT) classroom aimed at enhancing digital literacy in underserved Nigerian communities.
During his meeting with Huawei’s leadership, led by the Chairman, Board of Directors, Mr Liang Hua, the company said the initiative would operate in 10 states yearly, training at least 3,000 students each year.
Acknowledging the ongoing efforts by Nigeria’s Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy to train three million technical talents (3MTT) and equip the country’s young population with the skills necessary for present and future economic opportunities, Huawei’s leadership said the DigiTruck initiative would complement the programme.
Liang praised the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda for identifying digital technology as a critical driver of economic growth.
Also speaking, Chief Executive Officer of Huawei Nigeria, Chris Lu, expressed support for Nigeria’s National Talent Export Programme (NATEP), an initiative that seeks to position Nigeria as a hub for talent outsourcing in Africa.
During the tour of the Huawei Research Centre’s exhibition hall, Tinubu and his delegation were introduced to Huawei’s latest innovations in e-government, smart education, smart grid and solar power, demonstrating their potential to enhance public services, digital governance and Nigeria’s inclusive development agenda.
As part of the efforts to achieve the aforementioned goals, Huawei also plans to establish a joint PV test lab with Nigeria’s Rural Electrification Agency (REA).
