By Faith Anisiobi, The Sight News
Nigeria and China have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, with both countries pledging to deepen cooperation in trade, investment, infrastructure, artificial intelligence, and other key sectors to boost economic growth and development.
The commitment was made on Monday during a meeting between the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, and the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters in Abuja.
Ambassador Yu congratulated Enikanolaiye on his appointment and expressed confidence in working closely with him to further strengthen the long-standing relationship between both countries.
Discussions centered on advancing the Nigeria–China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with emphasis on trade and investment, infrastructure development, industrialization, energy, agriculture, education, and people-to-people exchanges.
Enikanolaiye reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the One-China Policy and commended China’s continued support for the country’s economic transformation agenda under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He also highlighted the benefits of China’s zero-tariff policy for eligible Nigerian exports, noting that it presents significant opportunities to expand Nigerian products in the Chinese market, promote value addition, and create jobs.
Speaking during the meeting, Ambassador Yu disclosed that Nigeria’s exports to China had increased by more than 88 per cent since the introduction of the zero-tariff policy. He also praised Nigeria’s participation in the inaugural meeting of the World Artificial Intelligence Organization and encouraged the country to become a founding member of the global body.
Responding, Enikanolaiye said the proposal would be brought to the attention of the relevant government agencies for consideration.
Both sides agreed to sustain high-level political consultations, expand mutually beneficial economic engagement, and explore new areas of collaboration in science and technology, the digital economy, and regional peace and security.
The meeting also coincided with the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and China, with both countries describing their ties as warm, cordial, and built on mutual respect, equality, and shared development goals.
