The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, has reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to implement its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with China and strengthen ties between both countries.
Tuggar stated this on Thursday when he hosted his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, in Abuja.
Nigeria had, in September 2024, during President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to China, signed five MoUs with the Chinese government, signifying an elevation of their diplomatic relationship.
The MoUs signed included deals on nuclear energy, renewable energy, mobility, financial cooperation, and smart city deals connected to an urban data connectivity project in Kaduna. All these deals are now at various stages of implementation.
Tuggar said “Nigeria reaffirms its commitment to the terms of the MOUs, which are currently at various stages of implementation.
“Importantly, we formalise the upgrading of our relationship from a strategic partnership to a comprehensive strategic partnership,” the minister noted.
He expressed optimism on the implementation of the agreements, which are expected to unlock new opportunities for trade facilitation, capacity building, and people-to-people exchanges.
“More so, our cooperation has yielded fruitful results in various fields, including trade, investment, infrastructure development, and cultural exchange.
“As we explore new avenues for collaboration, I wish to acknowledge China’s remarkable progress in economic development, technological innovation, and global leadership.
“Nigeria, too, is undergoing significant transformations driven by our vision to become a more prosperous, peaceful, and egalitarian nation,” Tuggar said.
On his part, the Chinese foreign minister hailed Nigeria’s leading role in Africa and its contributions to the global South.
The Chinese foreign minister reiterated China’s commitment to fostering solidarity with Nigeria and delivering on the agreements reached at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Summit in Beijing.
“Nigeria is a major African country with global influence. It is an important member of the global south. As we work for Africa’s peace and development, Nigeria plays an irreplaceable and important role.
“China has all along viewed and developed relations with Nigeria from a strategic height and a long-term perspective, hoping to further our solidarity and cooperation.
“We will continue to understand and support each other on issues concerning our respective core interests, and as we both pursue development and vitalisation, continue to pursue cooperation for mutual benefit.
“Under the guidance of our two presidents, we have achieved abundant fruits in our cooperation across the board, delivering real benefits to our two peoples,” Yi noted.
