President Bola Tinubu is expected to return to Abuja today, following official visits to China and a brief stay in the United Kingdom. Tinubu departed Abuja for Beijing, China, on August 29, with his official engagements beginning on September 2.
During his visit to China, President Tinubu held significant discussions with President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People, where they strengthened bilateral relations between Nigeria and China. A key highlight of the trip was the signing of five Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), which covered various sectors, including infrastructure, technology, and media.
Key Highlights of Tinubu’s China Visit:
- Bilateral Talks: Tinubu met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang. During the meeting, the leaders discussed expanding cooperation between the two nations, particularly under China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
- MoUs Signed:
- A Cooperation Plan to enhance bilateral relations.
- An agreement on the peaceful application of nuclear energy.
- Human resource development under China’s Global Development Initiative.
- Media cooperation between China Media Group and the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).
- A $1 billion iron ore-to-steel project in Kogi State, between Nigeria’s Capstone Integrated Limited and China’s Sinomach-He.
- Infrastructure Development: Nigeria signed an MoU with China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) to construct the 68-kilometer Lagos Green Rail Line, which will link Lekki Free Zone to Marina and connect with the Lagos Blue Line.
- Technology and Industry Visits: Tinubu visited Huawei and CHEC, exploring potential partnerships in infrastructure and technology development.
Tinubu’s participation at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit saw him, as ECOWAS chairman, deliver a speech promoting global peace and multilateral cooperation.
The visit to China not only sought to advance Nigeria’s infrastructure ambitions but also opened up new opportunities for collaboration in key areas such as technology, energy, and human resource development.
