President Bola Tinubu on Thursday hosted Wang Yi, China’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The high-level meeting underscores the importance of fostering deeper cooperation and strengthening the long-standing partnership between Nigeria and China.
According to reports, the visit was part of Wang Yi’s two-day working tour of Nigeria, aimed at strengthening bilateral relations through discussions on a wide range of shared interests. This engagement follows the outcomes of the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit in China, where both nations reaffirmed their commitment to fostering development and mutual progress.
During the meeting, President Tinubu and Wang Yi reviewed key areas outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding signed at the 2024 FOCAC Summit. Discussions were centered on critical areas of collaboration such as the economy, politics, and the oil and gas sectors, with a shared vision of enhancing growth and cooperation between both countries.
Following the discussions at the Presidential Villa, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, and Wang Yi are expected to address the press in a joint briefing to outline the outcomes of the bilateral talks. This will provide an opportunity to share the progress made in advancing Nigeria-China relations.
Dignitaries present at the meeting included the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; Minister of Information, Idris Mohammed; and Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, among others. Their presence highlighted the significance of the diplomatic engagement in consolidating Nigeria’s foreign policy priorities.
Ambassador Tuggar highlighted the long-standing and cordial diplomatic relationship between Nigeria and China, a partnership rooted in mutual respect and shared goals. He noted that Wang Yi’s visit is a crucial step toward consolidating the foundation of this strong bilateral relationship.
In a series of tweets shared on his X handle, Tuggar detailed his strategic discussions with his Chinese counterpart. He emphasized key areas of focus, including boosting trade, capacity building, and fostering people-to-people exchanges. These efforts are aimed at promoting greater connectivity and understanding between the two nations.
The visit by Wang Yi, coupled with the fruitful discussions and strategic engagements, underscores the commitment of both nations to deepening their ties and exploring new opportunities for collaboration in various sectors.
