The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has emphasized Nigeria’s intention to deepen bilateral relations with China based on mutual respect and shared developmental objectives.
Mr. Tuggar made this announcement in a statement released on Friday in Abuja by Alkasim Abdulkadir, his special assistant on media and communication.
Mr. Tuggar arrived in China on June 19 for an official visit at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi.
During the visit, Mr. Tuggar delivered a keynote address at the China-Nigeria Business Exchange. The event, co-organized by the Nigerian Embassy and Yingke Law Firm, aimed to enhance bilateral trade, investment, and business matchmaking between the two countries.
“This event underscores our commitment to strengthening Nigeria-China relations. By fostering direct business engagements, we are paving the way for increased bilateral trade, investment opportunities, and innovative collaborations that will benefit both nations. Over 200 Chinese companies participated, demonstrating a strong interest in economic collaboration,” said Mr. Tuggar.
The statement also noted that Mr. Tuggar would participate in high-level meetings, including the inaugural plenary of the Nigeria-China intergovernmental committee in Beijing and the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting of the New Champions in Dalian.
Additionally, the minister is set to meet with ECOWAS Ambassadors and inaugurate the 4-D Cultural Diplomacy Programme of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda at the Nigerian embassy.
These activities are expected to further solidify the strategic partnership between Nigeria and China. The visit aims to deepen economic and trade collaboration, enhance high-level exchanges, and strengthen mutual support in multilateral forums.
Key outcomes from the visit include advancing Nigeria’s development initiatives, boosting infrastructure development, improving healthcare and educational systems, creating job opportunities, and stimulating economic growth. Other anticipated results are the implementation of bilateral agreements, increased trade volume and diversification, attraction of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), promotion of entrepreneurship, and enhancement of industrial capabilities and competitiveness.
The event was attended by notable Nigerian dignitaries and business leaders, including Aisha Rimi, Managing Director/CEO of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC); Khalil Suleiman Halilu, Executive Vice-Chairman/CEO of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI); Oluwaseun Fakuade, Commissioner for Innovation, Science, and Digital Economy representing Governor Abiodun Oyebanji of Ekiti; and key private sector leaders such as Dr. Adegboyega Austen-Peters, Chairman of Dorman Long Engineering Ltd; Bolanle Austen-Peters, Founder/Artistic Director of Terra Academy for The Arts (TAFTA); Bruce Ayonote, CEO of Suburban Fiber Company; Tunde Hassan-Odukale, Group CEO of Leadway Holdings; Olusegun Alebiosu, Managing Director/CEO of First Bank of Nigeria Plc; and Jawad Saleh Mustapha of Renecon Energy Ltd.
