By Nkechi Eze
China and Nigeria have reaffirmed the depth and resilience of their bilateral relationship as the two countries marked the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, exchanging warm congratulatory messages that underscored decades of mutual support, expanding cooperation and shared strategic vision.
In his message, Wang Yi, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, reflected on the enduring nature of China–Nigeria relations since diplomatic ties were established 55 years ago. He noted that irrespective of shifts in the international environment, both countries have consistently stood by each other, advanced together and nurtured a friendship that transcends geographical distance and is firmly rooted in the hearts of their peoples.
Wang highlighted the significance of the comprehensive strategic partnership established between both countries in 2024, describing it as a milestone that has further deepened political mutual trust and delivered fruitful outcomes across multiple areas of cooperation. He also emphasized the growing coordination between China and Nigeria on international and regional affairs, a development he said reflects the maturity and strategic depth of the relationship.
Expressing China’s readiness to further strengthen bilateral ties, Wang said he was willing to work closely with his Nigerian counterpart to enhance exchanges between the two foreign ministries, effectively utilize the China–Nigeria Intergovernmental Committee mechanism, and fully implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state. He added that the outcomes of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) provide a valuable opportunity to elevate the China–Nigeria comprehensive strategic partnership to even higher levels.
In his response, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar reaffirmed Nigeria’s strong appreciation of its long-standing relationship with China, noting that since the establishment of diplomatic relations, both countries have maintained a friendly and mutually beneficial partnership marked by steadily deepening cooperation across diverse sectors.
Tuggar described China as an important strategic partner to Nigeria, stressing that Abuja remains firmly committed to advancing bilateral exchanges while also exploring new areas of cooperation that align with the foreign policy objectives of both nations. He noted that this approach is fully consistent with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, and reflects the shared determination of Nigeria and China to deepen their comprehensive strategic partnership and achieve outcomes that are mutually beneficial.
The Nigerian foreign minister further expressed optimism about the future of the relationship, saying he looks forward to the steady consolidation of friendship and cooperation between the two countries, with the ultimate goal of ensuring that the dividends of Nigeria–China collaboration translate into tangible benefits for the peoples of both nations.
The exchange of messages, coming 55 years after the formal establishment of diplomatic ties, reinforces the enduring nature of Nigeria–China relations and signals a renewed commitment by both countries to strengthen cooperation, enhance strategic trust and jointly pursue development-oriented partnerships in an increasingly complex global environment.
