Nigeria President, H.E Bola Tinubu arrived in Beijing, China, on Sunday for an official state visit, where he’s expexted to participate in the 9th Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit. The theme of this year’s summit is “Joining Hands to Advance Modernisation and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with Shared Future.”
Upon his arrival, the President was welcomed by several dignitaries, including Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, Minister of Works David Umahi, and Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, along with other Nigerian and Chinese officials.
During his visit, President Tinubu is scheduled to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss enhancing economic collaboration and attracting investments to Nigeria. According to presidential spokesman Ajuri Ngelale, the visit aims to strengthen ties between Nigeria and China across various sectors.
In addition to high-level meetings, President Tinubu plans to visit prominent Chinese firms, including Huawei Technologies and the China Railway and Construction Corporation (CRCC). These visits are intended to expedite the completion of the Ibadan-Abuja segment of the Lagos-Kano rail project.
The Nigerian President is also expected to engage with CEOs of ten major Chinese corporations that manage over $3 trillion in assets across sectors such as ICT, oil and gas, aluminum production, seaport development, finance, and satellite technology.
The state visit is seen as a critical opportunity for Nigeria to secure investments and foster economic growth. The discussions between President Tinubu and Chinese leaders are expected to result in several Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) aimed at deepening cooperation in areas including agriculture, green economy, and technology development.
