Nigeria and the People’s Republic of China have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations following a courtesy visit by the Chargé d’Affaires of the Chinese Embassy, Mr. Zhou Hongyou, to the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, on Tuesday, 3rd February 2026.
The meeting, which took place at the Ministry’s headquarters, provided an opportunity for both parties to review the state of Nigeria–China relations and explore new areas of cooperation. They underscored the depth of diplomatic, economic, and strategic ties between the two countries, noting that Nigeria remains one of China’s most important partners in Africa.
During the discussions, both sides highlighted the extensive collaboration in trade, infrastructure development, and investment, with several Chinese-supported projects contributing significantly to Nigeria’s socio-economic growth. These projects, spanning transportation, energy, construction, and industrial development, were cited as evidence of the strong partnership between the two nations.
The engagement also focused on the importance of reciprocal visits, study tours, and exposure programmes for diplomats and public officials to enhance mutual understanding and professional capacity. Both parties emphasized the need for short-term and specialized training programmes in areas such as governance, public administration, strategic communication, and public diplomacy.
Reference was made to existing training initiatives coordinated by Chinese academic institutions, particularly Peking University, which are designed to promote experience-sharing and capacity building among developing countries. The programmes were described as valuable platforms for strengthening institutional cooperation and knowledge exchange.
The Chinese delegation further informed the Ministry of plans to commemorate the Chinese New Year and the anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and China. In this regard, both parties agreed on the importance of coordinated messaging and media engagement on 10th February 2026 to mark the occasion and reinforce public understanding of the bilateral relationship.
They also stressed the role of effective communication and public engagement in promoting transparency, mutual respect, and sustained cooperation between the two countries.
At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to deepening diplomatic engagement, enhancing institutional collaboration, and expanding people-to-people exchanges for mutual benefit. They expressed optimism that the renewed partnership would continue to contribute to Nigeria’s development aspirations and strengthen China–Africa relations.
The visit was described as a significant step towards consolidating existing ties and opening new pathways for cooperation in line with the strategic interests of both nations.
