President Bola Tinubu is scheduled to visit the People’s Republic of China in early September, aiming to enhance economic collaboration and attract significant investments to Nigeria.
This visit is viewed as a strategic effort to strengthen bilateral relations between the two nations and explore key economic opportunities.
The announcement was made during a briefing at the State House in Abuja, where Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, underscored the importance of the upcoming trip. According to Ngelale, President Tinubu will visit major Chinese companies, including Huawei Technologies and the China Rail and Construction Corporation (CRCC), to expedite the completion of the Ibadan-Abuja segment of the Lagos-Kano rail project.
In addition to these site visits, President Tinubu is expected to engage with CEOs of ten top Chinese corporations. These companies collectively manage over $3 trillion in assets across various sectors, including information and communications technology, oil and gas refining, aluminum production, seaport development, finance, and satellite technology.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart for Beijing in the first week of September to participate in a series of meetings and activities with immediate and future benefits for the Nigerian economy and its people,” Ngelale stated.
During his visit, President Tinubu will also hold talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The discussions are expected to result in the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) aimed at bolstering bilateral ties. These agreements will focus on critical sectors such as the green economy, agriculture, satellite technology, media enterprise development, blue economy initiatives, and national planning collaboration.
The meeting between the two leaders will also provide an opportunity to address broader issues of mutual interest, including economic partnerships and security at national, regional, and international levels, as well as other global challenges.