Nigeria and China agreed to bolster cooperation in the Belt and Road initiative, human resources development, and nuclear energy after a meeting between their leaders on Tuesday, according to a government spokesperson.
China remains Nigeria’s largest bilateral lender, with loans totaling $5 billion as of March, based on data from Nigeria’s Debt Management Office. Diplomatic ties between the two nations have grown over the past 50 years.
In 2018, the partnership strengthened when Nigeria joined China’s Belt and Road Initiative, leading to significant infrastructure projects, including a deep sea port and rail lines in Nigeria.
President Bola Tinubu emphasized that this strategic partnership should foster development, stability, and security in West Africa. Tinubu is attending the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Beijing.
During the summit, President Xi highlighted that enhancing China-Nigeria coordination would invigorate China-Africa relations and promote progress in the Global South. Tinubu also secured commitments from Huawei and other Chinese firms to invest in renewable energy and technology in Nigeria.
