China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi Strengthens China-Nigeria Ties During Official Visit

Written on 23/01/2025
Leadership NG

From January 8th to 9th, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Nigeria, meeting with President Bola Tinubu and Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar. This visit marked a significant milestone in China-Nigeria relations, coinciding with the 25th Anniversary of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and the implementation of outcomes from the 2024 Beijing Summit.

During discussions, both nations emphasized their commitment to deepening ties through initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The talks focused on boosting bilateral cooperation, regional stability, and international coordination, with China pledging support for Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts and its growing global role.

The visit highlighted China's long-standing tradition of prioritizing Africa in its diplomacy, strengthening their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for a shared future.



The recent visit of Foreign Minister Wang Yi has charted a new course for advancing the China-Nigeria partnership, reinforcing its strategic significance. Over the years, practical cooperation has been the driving force of this relationship, as seen in transformative projects like the Lekki Deep Sea Port, four major terminals, and the Ogun Free Trade Zone, which have significantly enhanced the livelihoods of Nigerians and stand as shining examples of China-Africa collaboration.

During his visit, Foreign Minister Wang Yi reiterated China’s commitment to translating the FOCAC Beijing Summit outcomes and the consensus reached by both nations' leaders into actionable projects. This includes aligning development strategies to foster mutual growth and support the Global South’s collective advancement.

The visit also underscored the exemplary nature of China-Nigeria relations, highlighted by the renewal of the currency swap agreement between the People’s Bank of China and the Central Bank of Nigeria, valued at 15 billion yuan (₦3.28 trillion), and the €245 million loan from the China Development Bank to fund the Kano-Kaduna railway project. Furthermore, China reaffirmed its support for Nigeria’s railway modernization initiative and expanded cooperation to include trade, new energy, mining, agriculture, security, and people-to-people exchanges.

This visit solidifies the foundation for broader and accelerated China-Nigeria collaboration in the future. Special appreciation is extended to Nigerian colleagues and friends from the State House, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and other departments for their hard work and warm hospitality, ensuring the visit’s resounding success.

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