China–Nigeria cooperation records strong gains in 2025 – Consul General

Yan Yuqing

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The Chinese Consul General in Lagos, Ms Yan Yuqing, says China and Nigeria recorded wide-ranging achievements in political, economic and people-to-people cooperation in 2025.

This, she said, has positioned both countries for greater opportunities in 2026.

Yan highlighted the achievements and expectations for 2026 in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

She described bilateral cooperation between both countries as a “solid bridge” connecting shared development and prosperity.

According to her, the “BRIDGE” acronym represents Bilateral ties, Rapport, Investment and Development, and Growth and Exchange, which collectively define China-Nigeria relations in 2025.

She said high-level exchanges remained central to deepening bilateral ties, with leaders and senior officials of both countries actively implementing outcomes of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Beijing Summit.

She recalled that China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, visited Nigeria on January 9 in line with China’s 35-year tradition of making Africa the destination of its first overseas visit of the year.

“During the visit, Wang met President Bola Tinubu and held talks with Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, where both sides agreed to implement FOCAC outcomes, align the Belt and Road Initiative and elevate bilateral relations.

“They also met two other times in Brazil and China’s Hunan Province, reaffirming their support for multilateralism,” she added.

According to the Consul General, these strategic engagements laid a solid political foundation for cooperation across various sectors.

The envoy said cooperation between Edo State and Fuzhou City, as well as Ondo State and Linyi City, also advanced in areas including trade, education and economic development.

Yan said she personally visited Kogi, Taraba, Abia, Rivers, Ogun and Edo states to explore cooperation opportunities in investment, infrastructure, agriculture, education, healthcare and cultural exchange.

On economic relations, she said China-Nigeria trade continued to grow strongly, with bilateral trade volume exceeding 22.3 billion dollars between January and October 2025, representing a 30.2 per cent year-on-year increase.

“Nigeria remains one of China’s major investment destinations in Africa and was honoured as a Guest Country of Honour at both the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo and the China International Import Expo.

“Nigerian products such as cashew nuts, sesame seeds, sorghum and dried ginger gained increased access to the Chinese market,” she added.

She also disclosed that the Lekki Deep Sea Port recorded an annual throughput of 520,000 TEUs in 2025, representing over 82 per cent year-on-year growth.

On people-to-people relations, Yan said China continued to support social development initiatives, including funding cataract surgeries for over 400 Nigerians through the Renewed Hope, Rebirth from the Light project.

“In collaboration with China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, the consulate established a second Window to China library at the University of Port Harcourt.

“China also supported school renovation projects in Edo State, the opening of the Festac branch of AiFei Chinese School, and sporting and educational events, including the Nigerian National Wushu Championship,” she said.

Looking ahead, the envoy said 2026 would mark the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Nigeria, the China-Africa Year of Cultural Exchanges and the first year of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan.

She expressed China’s willingness in 2026 to work with Nigeria to continue maintaining, building, and developing the BRIDGE of China-Nigeria relations.

This, she said, would be through consolidation of the foundation of political mutual trust, strengthening of exchanges at all levels, and deepening of strategic communication.

“We will broaden the scope of practical cooperation, deeply explore cooperation potential in emerging fields like new energy, digital economy, and blue economy, and promote the implementation of more high-quality projects.

“We will tighten the bond of people-to-people and cultural exchanges, expand exchanges in education, culture, youth, sub-national cooperation, and other fields, and enhance mutual understanding and friendship,” she said.

She expressed confidence that sustained cooperation would further strengthen the China-Nigeria comprehensive strategic partnership and contribute to building a China-Africa community with a shared future.

NAN

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