Nigeria seeks stronger bilateral relations with China as it eyes BRICS membership
Abuja, EPICSTORIAN – Nigeria has expressed its willingness to strengthen bilateral relations with China, its allies among the BRICS and the G20, in a move to attract new technologies and investments to the country.
Nigeria’s bilateral relations with China, an active pioneer of BRICS, has lasted “for over 50 years” sharing mutual interests in the areas of economic and technological benefits.
China has been Nigeria’s major country for importation of products, with over $22.3 billion worth of goods imported into Nigeria in 2022, which was the highest estimated value over the past years.
This record continues to hit high, making Chinese products Nigeria’s first choice in terms of international trade facilitated by the country’s existing effective bilateral relations with China.
Currently, with the challenging issues of fluctuations in the value of the Nigerian Naira against the U.S. dollar, and a piling debts of over $5.16 billion to China, Nigeria drifts sideways to solve domestic problems of economic hardship and regain its foreign exchange rate positions.
Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, met with the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, Mr. Chen Xiaodong, in Abuja Thursday, to enhance partnership between with Nigeria and China
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Nigeria’s stronger bilateral relations with China to attract technological improvement.
According to president Tinubu, with more effective bilateral relations with China both countries commitment to mutual labour and development will improve.
Speaking with the Chinese minister, Tinubu said Nigeria’s relationship with China “must be nourished, nurtured, and promoted”.
He said: “We believe in our bilateral relations, and we want to strengthen that. I am glad you mentioned United Nations, BRICS, and the G20. This is the largest economy in Africa.
“For us, it is a new beginning with you. A relationship that has lasted over 50 years must be nourished, nurtured, and promoted. Our mutual commitment to the values of labour, understanding, and development is very important.
“I am very happy that President Xi Jinping is paying attention to Africa as a whole and our developmental needs.
“We believe in ourselves. We are determined to enhance the values of our people. Over the years, China has gone through phases of transformation and development.
“I once visited Shanghai when it was a village, and to see the rapid transformation, the technological development, is worth more collaborative efforts.’’
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President Tinubu says China is one of Nigeria’s choices to establish stronger bilateral relations
He clarified that the rest of the world may see the country as being behind, but Nigeria is always ready to welcome willing friends and partners.
“To classify us as a backwater economy, no matter how hungry we are, we will manage our hunger. We will be friends and partners with those who respect our values, and China is one of them.”
Tinubu commended the President of China, Xi Jinping, for helping with capital mobilization for projects in Africa.
“I commend what President Xi Jinping is doing in Africa, helping with capital mobilization for projects that positively impact the lives and livelihoods of our people in Africa.
“The infrastructure need of Africa is monumental, particularly that of Nigeria. You have good technology that you can transfer. You have a good opportunity to make an indelible mark on Nigeria.
“We have a very vibrant youth population, well-educated, and ready to learn. Skill development programme and transfer of knowledge is extremely important,’’ President Tinubu added.
“I am glad you appreciate my effort on Lekki Free Trade Zone, and we are doing very well. We need to establish more industrial parks across the country.
“Nigeria is blessed with mineral resources, and we have a lot of Chinese nationals around. We need to discuss more on that and promote cordial relationship for mutual benefits,’’ the President stated.
The Chinese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs extended President Xi Jinping’s invitation to president Tinubu, reminding him of his significant role in the position as the ECOWAS’s chairman .
“You are an important leader and a strategist in Africa. We believe that your meeting with President Jinping will open up more discussions and opportunities for Nigeria and Africa,’’ Xiaodong said.
