Yusuf Tuggar, minister of foreign affairs has said that implementation of the memoranda of understanding (MoUs) signed between Nigeria and China are in progress.
Gatekeepers News reports that Tuggar disclosed this during a press conference with Wang Yi, Chinese foreign minister, in Abuja on Thursday.
Recall that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed five MoUs in a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a state visit to China in September 2024.
The MoUs include a cooperation plan between Nigeria and China on jointly promoting the Belt and Road initiative; cooperation in the peaceful application of nuclear energy; strengthening cooperation on human resource development under the global development initiative; media exchange and cooperation; and a MoU between China Media Group and the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).
Tuggar noted that the MoUs are being implemented, and expressed Nigeria’s continued support for China, expressing delight over the absence of tensions between the two countries.
He said to his Chinese counterpart, “You have mutual respect and a shared commitment to advancing peace, stability, and prosperity. Moreso, our cooperation has yielded fruitful results in various fields including trade, investment, infrastructure development, and cultural exchange.”
“As we explore new avenues for collaboration, I wish to acknowledge China’s remarkable progress in economic development, technological innovation and global leadership.”
“Nigeria, too, is undergoing significant transformations driven by our vision to become a more prosperous, peaceful and egalitarian nation.”
“Consequently, during our discussions, I look forward to exploring avenues to deepen our bilateral engagement, particularly in areas such as trade facilitation, capacity building, and people-to-people exchanges.”
“I am confident that our deliberations will yield meaningful outcomes in fostering a brighter future for our nations and our peoples.”
Speaking on 2024 forum on China-Africa cooperation, Yi said Tinubu’s visit would follow up with the outcomes from the meeting and “provide new substance to our comprehensive strategic partnership.”
He added, “I am sure that our meeting today will produce new common understandings and that you and your colleagues will continue to work for the growth of our relations.”
Yi further said China has always viewed and developed relations with Nigeria from a strategic height and a long-term perspective.
The Chinese minister said Nigeria plays an irreplaceable and important role as the countries work for Africa’s peace and development.
