Nigeria reaffirms commitment to strategic trade partnership with China
Nigeria has reiterated its dedication to enhancing the strategic, bilateral trade and economic partnership with China, which positively reflects the advancements made in the relations between the two nations throughout 2025.
This reaffirmation came after the elevation of Nigeria–China relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, a decision made by President Bola Tinubu and President Xi Jinping during his state visit to China in September 2024. Since that time, interactions between the two countries have intensified across political, economic, and technical domains, further solidifying a relationship founded on mutual respect, developmental cooperation, and shared interests.
In the past year, collaboration has expanded in critical priority areas such as infrastructure development, trade and investment, industrial capacity building, technology exchange, and people-to-people relations. According to Nigerian officials, these interactions have contributed to strengthening institutional connections and establishing a clearer framework for achieving mutually beneficial results.
In a statement, Mr. Joseph Tegbe, Director General and Global Liaison of the Nigeria–China Strategic Partnership, remarked that Nigeria’s relationship with China continues to be guided by the nation’s enduring foreign policy principles, which include respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as adherence to established international norms.
He emphasized that, in this context, the Federal Government has consistently upheld the One-China principle as the cornerstone of its diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China.
Looking forward to 2026, he conveyed the country’s readiness to consolidate and deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in more practical and results-oriented manners. He highlighted that there will be a continued focus on cooperation that directly aligns with Nigeria’s development priorities, including economic diversification, infrastructure delivery, human capital development, technology transfer, and long-term sustainability.
Reflecting on the future of the partnership, Tegbe conveyed his assurance that the collaboration between the two nations would continue to develop.
He stated that ongoing engagement and mutual dedication would guarantee the achievement of enduring results that promote the collective vision of a China–Nigeria community with a shared future.
