President Bola Tinubu landed in Beijing on Sunday for a state visit, marking a significant step in strengthening Nigeria’s ties with China. The visit coincides with the 9th Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit, themed “Joining Hands to Advance Modernisation and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future.”
The visit was announced by the President’s Special Assistant on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, through a post on X. “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu arrives in Beijing for his official state visit to China,” Olusegun stated, adding that the President is set to meet with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, and engage with top Chinese business leaders during the summit.
Tinubu was warmly received by prominent Nigerian figures including Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, Minister of Works, David Umahi, and Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, alongside key Chinese government officials.
The state visit follows an invitation extended by President Xi Jinping, with expectations high for enhanced economic collaboration between the two nations. According to Presidential Spokesman Ajuri Ngelale, the visit aims to attract significant investments to Nigeria.
During his stay, President Tinubu will also visit leading Chinese companies such as Huawei Technologies and the China Railway and Construction Corporation, focusing on accelerating the completion of the Ibadan-Abuja segment of the Lagos-Kano rail project. Additionally, he is scheduled to meet with CEOs of 10 major Chinese corporations, which collectively manage assets exceeding $3 trillion, spanning sectors like ICT, oil and gas, aluminium production, seaport development, finance, and satellite technology.
