• Highlights $140tr Chinese economy, new opportunities for Nigeria
• LASG lauds Consul-General’s role in strengthening relations

The outgoing Consul-General of the People’s Republic of China in Lagos, Yan Yuqing, has stressed the need to expand economic, cultural and people-to-people ties between China and Nigeria as she marked her departure after more than three years in office.

Yan spoke at a reception in Lagos and the commemoration of the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the 66th anniversary of Nigeria’s independence and the 55th anniversary of China-Nigeria diplomatic relations.

The event also marked the 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges and served as Yan’s farewell reception.

The outgoing Consul-General said she was leaving with lasting memories of the relationships built during her tenure.

“Three years may seem both short and long: short in the time we have shared together, yet long in the friendships we have forged along the way,” she said.

She, therefore, thanked Nigerian government officials, lawmakers, businesses, universities, media organisations and other stakeholders, as well as Chinese nationals and institutions in Nigeria, for their cooperation with the Consulate.

Yan outlined areas in which China-Nigeria cooperation had expanded during her tenure to include the Lekki Deep Sea Port, the Lekki Free Trade Zone, tamong others.

According to her, the Lekki Deep Sea Port, which she said was invested in, built and operated by Chinese companies, had strengthened Nigeria’s port logistics and was expected to generate significant economic benefits and employment over its concession period.

She also said that the Lekki and Ogun-Guangdong Free Trade zones now host more than 300 companies and have created tens of thousands of jobs.

The remarks form part of China’s broader presentation of its economic relationship with Nigeria.

Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, while speaking on behalf of Lagos State Government, praised Yan’s role in strengthening relations between Lagos and China.

Salu-Hundeyin said that the cooperation extended beyond infrastructure and trade to agriculture, technology, education, healthcare, renewable energy and cultural exchanges.

She, however, cited the recently concluded China-Nigeria Agricultural Technology Cooperation seminar, in which Lagos State participated with a delegation of government officials.

According to her, the engagement exposed Nigerian officials to Chinese approaches in agricultural science and technology, mechanisation, smart agriculture, post-harvest management, processing, branding and value-chain development.

She said that Lagos State viewed such exchanges as opportunities to translate technical knowledge into increased investment, improved production and greater access to markets.