Nigeria-China relations have entered a new phase of strengthened strategic cooperation following China’s approval of RMB200 million in grant assistance to support development projects jointly agreed upon by the two governments.
The development was disclosed when the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E. Yu Dunhai, met with the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Dunoma Umar Ahmed, PhD, on August 13.
The grant is expected to support Nigeria’s national development and economic growth, further underscoring Beijing’s commitment to strengthening practical cooperation with Abuja.
Speaking during the meeting, Ambassador Yu said the bilateral relationship had maintained a prominent position within China-Africa relations since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries 55 years ago.
He said the relationship had gained renewed momentum in recent years under the strategic guidance of Chinese President Xi Jinping and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Over the past 55 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Nigeria, bilateral relations have consistently remained at the forefront of China-Africa relations,” Yu said.
According to him, China and Nigeria had maintained close communication and coordination in implementing the common understandings reached by their two Presidents, as well as the outcomes of the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Beijing Summit.
Yu said the two countries remained committed to ensuring that bilateral cooperation produced tangible benefits for their citizens.
“China and Nigeria have maintained close communication and coordination, working together to implement the common understandings reached by the two heads of state and the outcomes of the 2024 FOCAC Beijing Summit, and to ensure that more cooperation outcomes benefit the peoples of both countries,” he said.
The Ambassador said the RMB200 million grant was part of China’s efforts to further support Nigeria’s development priorities and economic growth, with the funds earmarked for projects agreed upon by both governments.
Responding, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Dunoma Umar Ahmed, expressed appreciation to the Chinese government for its concrete support for Nigeria’s economic and social development.
Ahmed described the grant as a reflection of the depth of the relationship between the two countries and China’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s development aspirations.
“The grant assistance fully demonstrates China’s sense of responsibility as a major country and reflects the deep friendship between Nigeria and China,” Ahmed said.
He assured that Nigeria would make effective use of the grant assistance and work closely with China to implement the common understandings reached by both governments on bilateral cooperation.
According to him, sustained cooperation between the two countries would further advance Nigeria-China friendship while delivering greater benefits to the people of both nations.
The latest development comes as Nigeria and China continue to deepen cooperation across key areas of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with both governments placing emphasis on translating high-level diplomatic commitments into concrete development outcomes.
The RMB200 million commitment therefore represents another significant step in the evolving Nigeria-China partnership and reinforces the two countries’ shared resolve to strengthen economic cooperation and support Nigeria’s development objectives.
