The Chinese government has donated $1 million to the Federal Government to help alleviate the suffering of families affected by floods across the country.

Speaking at the signing ceremony for the exchange of notes for the support in Abuja on Wednesday, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, said the gesture was a reflection of the long-standing bilateral relations between Nigeria and China, built on mutual respect, cooperation, and a shared vision for sustainable development.

According to the Minister, the assistance is particularly timely, as it is targeted at communities in states that have been most affected by recent flooding disasters, including Kebbi, Jigawa, Sokoto, Borno, Taraba, and Adamawa.
“The intervention will go a long way in complementing the government’s ongoing efforts to provide relief materials and rebuild the livelihoods of those in severely impacted areas,” he said.

He noted that the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, in collaboration with relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, will coordinate the effective implementation of the project.
“A transparent framework, leveraging past experiences and unified templates, will guide the process to ensure that the assistance reaches the intended beneficiaries in the most efficient and impactful manner,” Bagudu promised.
“This humanitarian support is not only a demonstration of China’s goodwill, but also a testimony to the growing cooperation between our two nations in areas such as trade, infrastructure, technology, agriculture, and now, disaster relief.
“It is our firm belief that today’s signing ceremony will open new windows of collaboration that will deepen our strategic partnership for the mutual benefit of our people.”

The minister, while thanking the government and people of China for the support, said that the Government of Nigeria fully accepts the joint monitoring and evaluation mechanism agreed with the Embassy of China.
“This will ensure transparency and accountability, promote learning, and strengthen our partnership in humanitarian and development cooperation,” he said.
“Let me assure you that the Federal Government of Nigeria remains committed to working closely with the Embassy of China to guarantee the successful implementation of this project. We look forward to further consolidating our friendship through initiatives that promote prosperity, resilience, and sustainable development.”

Earlier, the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, while announcing the donation, expressed China’s solidarity with Nigeria in difficult times.
Ambassador Yu noted that both countries had recently experienced devastating floods, including losses in Beijing, and emphasised that China and Nigeria “will always stand shoulder to shoulder” in moments of hardship.
“In times of difficulty, China and Nigeria will always stand together,” Yu said, reaffirming the deepening ties between the two nations. He added that the donation would help ease the burden of displaced families and support ongoing recovery efforts.

The ambassador also highlighted recent progress in bilateral relations, noting that Nigeria and China elevated their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership following President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to Beijing last September.

He pointed to China’s new zero-tariff policy for African exports as a move that will boost Nigeria’s trade opportunities, create jobs, and strengthen economic cooperation.