Nigeria and China have reaffirmed their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and commitment to deeper cooperation, emphasizing initiatives that will positively impact the lives of citizens in both countries.
The declaration was made on Saturday in Abuja at the 2026 “Happy Chinese New Year” Temple Fair, which also marked the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations.
Speaking at the event held at the Chinese Cultural Centre, Mr. Joseph Tegbe, Director-General and Global Liaison of the Nigeria–China Strategic Partnership (NCSP), said Nigeria remains firmly committed to the One-China Principle, describing it as “the bedrock of our enduring friendship.”
He highlighted that over five decades, bilateral ties have evolved from cordial diplomacy into a robust partnership with direct benefits for citizens in both countries.
“As we welcome the Year of the Horse and mark the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and China, we are reminded that both nations share the same spirit of resilience and determination as we gallop into a future of deeper cooperation and shared prosperity,” Tegbe said.
He cited China’s role in Nigeria’s infrastructure drive, noting ongoing rail projects and the Lekki Deep Sea Port, linking progress to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s visit to President Xi Jinping in Beijing in September 2024.
Tegbe also outlined major initiatives inspired by China’s achievements in food security. The Nigerian government has launched the National Integrated Poultry Project, with an initial $1 billion investment. The pilot phase will commence in Kaduna, Oyo, and Enugu states, later expanding nationwide. The project aims to produce six million eggs daily, house over seven million laying birds and two million broilers, and cultivate more than 60,000 hectares of maize and soybeans. Tegbe emphasized that the initiative is not only about food security but also about “jobs, dignity, and opportunity for Nigerians.”
Additionally, the long-stalled Ajaokuta Steel Complex is set for revitalization through collaboration with China, with an expected output of 10 million metric tonnes per year. Tegbe also highlighted educational and knowledge-exchange programs, including scholarships, joint research, and the development of new industrial parks.
“For our partnership to thrive sustainably, it must deliver real benefits to Nigerians and Chinese alike. We welcome Chinese businesses to Nigeria and encourage partnerships that prioritize capacity building, skills transfer, and shared growth,” Tegbe said.
China’s Chargé d’Affaires in Nigeria, Mr. Zhou Hongyou, described the 55-year relationship as “a model of South–South cooperation” built on mutual respect, equality, and win-win outcomes. He recalled that the two countries elevated ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership at the 2024 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation.
“Bilateral trade continues to expand, infrastructure cooperation is progressing steadily, and consultations on zero-tariff measures provide strong support for Nigeria’s modernization efforts,” Zhou said.
Zhou also noted that 2026 has been designated the “China–Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges,” opening new opportunities for cultural, educational, and technological collaboration. He highlighted initiatives such as the launch of the Chinese-language radio program Ni Hao! China on the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, as well as increased cooperation in cultural heritage, tourism, education, and scientific research.
Both speakers drew symbolic parallels between the Year of the Horse in the Chinese lunar calendar and the horse on Nigeria’s Coat of Arms, representing strength, perseverance, and forward momentum. “These qualities precisely define China–Nigeria relations over the past 55 years,” Zhou said.
The Temple Fair featured martial arts performances by the Chinese Wushu Association, music and dance by Chinese and Nigerian artists, exhibitions on Spring Festival culture and tourism, and interactive cultural displays, underscoring the growing people-to-people ties between the two nations.