Nigeria, China Reaffirm Commitment to Stronger Ties at 55th Anniversary Event

Nigeria and China have reaffirmed their commitment to deeper bilateral cooperation as both countries marked 55 years of diplomatic relations at a high-level commemorative event in Abuja.
The event, held on Wednesday at the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), brought together diplomats, traditional rulers, government officials, political representatives and policy stakeholders. It was organised jointly by the Centre for China Studies (CCS) and the IPCR under the theme, “Nigeria–China at 55 and Beyond.”
Dignitaries in attendance included the Emir of Kano, Lamido Sanusi II, the Director General of IPCR, the Chinese Chargé d’Affaires to Nigeria, Mr. Zhou Hongyou, serving and former ambassadors, as well as officials from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Culture and Communications.
Speakers at the event reviewed the history of Nigeria–China relations, which formally began on February 10, 1971, noting that the partnership has steadily expanded across trade, infrastructure, education, healthcare, technology, cultural exchange and people-to-people relations.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, represented by Ambassador Mohammed Haidara, Director of the Asia and Pacific Division, expressed optimism about the future of the relationship. He said Nigeria’s strategic partnership with China was already yielding visible results, particularly in trade and infrastructure, and urged both sides to maximise opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation.
In his keynote address, the Chinese Chargé d’Affaires, Mr. Zhou Hongyou, described Nigeria as China’s largest engineering construction partner, adding that bilateral trade reached a record of over 24 billion dollars in 2025. He said cooperation had expanded into education, healthcare, technology and cultural exchange, strengthening diplomatic and people-to-people ties.
Zhou also noted that China’s current development agenda, including its 15th Five-Year Plan, aims to build a unified national market while expanding access for partner countries. He added that China–Africa trade exceeded 25 billion dollars in 2025, underscoring China’s long-term engagement with the continent.
He highlighted China’s domestic progress, including 96 percent health insurance coverage, poverty reduction achievements since the 1978 reforms, and significant growth in higher education.
Participants at the event also recalled Africa’s role in restoring China’s seat at the United Nations and reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the One China policy.
Speaking as Special Guest of Honour, the Emir of Kano, Lamido Sanusi II, said Nigeria was at a critical stage where strategic partnerships such as that with China could be harnessed to drive economic growth, infrastructure expansion and national development.
The event further highlighted cultural similarities, longstanding diplomatic goodwill and China’s zero-tariff treatment in selected sectors as opportunities for Nigeria to expand access to the Chinese market.
Participants expressed optimism that the Nigeria–China relationship would continue to deepen and deliver mutual benefits in the years ahead.