By Yan Yuqing

The year 2025, which is drawing to a close, has been a pivotal year in the development of China-Nigeria relations. Under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Bola Tinubu, the China-Nigeria comprehensive strategic partnership has continued to deepen. Practical cooperation across various fields has been like building a solid BRIDGE, connecting the two sides and creating shared prosperity. 

Here, I’d like to use the acronym “B-R-I-D-G-E” to review the fruitful year of 2025 and look ahead to the opportunity-filled year of 2026. High-level Exchanges Deepen Bilateral Ties Over the year, the high-level officials of China and Nigeria have actively implemented the outcomes of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Beijing Summit and the meetings between the two heads of state, maintaining close communication and injecting strong momentum into bilateral relations. The two foreign ministers met three times during the year, enhancing political mutual trust. On January 9, adhering to the 35-year tradition of Chinese foreign ministers choosing Africa for their first overseas visit of the new year, Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Nigeria. 

He met with President Tinubu and held talks with Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar. Both sides agreed to implement the outcomes of FOCAC, organically integrate the joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative and the Ten Partnership Actions with the priority areas of Nigeria’s Renewed Hope agenda, and elevate China-Nigeria relations to a higher level. On April 29, Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Foreign Minister Tuggar met in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Both sides emphasized jointly opposing unilateral protectionism and upholding multilateralism. On June 11, Foreign Minister Wang Yi met again with Foreign Minister Tuggar during the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo in Changsha City of Hunan, China. Both sides agreed that, under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, ChinaNigeria relations have “transcended the bilateral scope and taken on increasingly important global significance”. 

During the year, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Hu Chunhua, successfully visited Nigeria, and Speaker of the Nigerian House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, visited China to attend the 8th China International Import Expo (CIIE) and met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang. These high-level strategic communications have laid a solid political foundation for cooperation across various fields, ensuring that ChinaNigeria relations steadily advance along the right track. Sub-national Exchanges Enhance Rapport Over the year, the Chinese Consulate General in Lagos has actively promoted friendly exchanges between states in its consular district and China. In April, Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, visited Hunan Province for exchanges and signed a Letter of Intent to establish friendly relations with Zhuzhou City. 

In July, Lagos State Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Bimbola SaluHundeyin, attended the World Mayors Dialogue in Qingdao, Shandong Province, promoting sister-city cooperation. In September, Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, visited Shandong Province to deepen sister-city ties. Furthermore, cooperation between Edo State and Fuzhou City, and Ondo State and Linyi City in areas such as economy, trade, and education has brought new momentum to their sistercity relationships. Over the year, I had the honor of visiting states including Kogi, Taraba, Abia, Rivers, Ogun, and Edo, striving to explore cooperation potential in investment, trade, infrastructure, modern agriculture, education, culture, health care and other fields, facilitating numerous vivid examples of China-Nigeria cooperation. Economic and Trade Cooperation Focuses on Investment and Development Over the year, China-Nigeria economic and trade cooperation has continuously demonstrated great vitality and strong momentum. From January to October this year, bilateral trade volume exceeded USD 22.3 billion, a year-on-year increase of 30.2 per cent. 

In terms of investment, Nigeria has been China’s major investment destination in Africa for many consecutive years. Nigeria was invited as one of the Guest Countries of Honor at both the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo in June and the China International Import Expo (CIIE) in November, showcasing its remarkable development achievements to the world. Specialty products of Nigeria like cashews, sesame seeds, sorghum, and dried ginger have flowed into the Chinese market. This year, I participated in events such as the China Commodities ExpoNigeria 2025, Nigeria Lagos International Trade Fair, and Nigeria International Lighting Expo held in Lagos, witnessing in-depth cooperation between the two sides in high-tech, manufacturing, infrastructure, and other fields.

• Ms. Yan Yuqing is Consul General of People’s Republic of China in Lagos