Nigeria And China Reaffirm Strategic Partnership As Chinese Ambassador Meets Permanent Secretary
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Dunoma Umar Ahmed, PhD, received Mr. Yu Dunhai, the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Nigeria at the Ministry’s Headquarters, Tafawa Balewa House, Abuja on Tuesday 31 March 2026, in a meeting that reaffirmed the enduring strategic partnership between both countries.
Welcoming the Ambassador, the Permanent Secretary commended the longstanding cordial relations between Nigeria and China, noting that the bilateral relationship, built on mutual respect, non-interference, and shared development aspirations, has continued to yield tangible benefits for both nations. He acknowledged China’s sustained support for Nigeria’s socio-economic development, particularly in infrastructure, energy, trade, and capacity building.
The Chinese Ambassador, in his remarks, highlighted the steady growth of bilateral ties, emphasizing that trade volume between both countries has significantly increased, surpassing 28 billion United States dollars in recent years. He noted that the partnership has evolved into a comprehensive strategic relationship characterized
by deep political trust and mutually beneficial cooperation. He further referenced ongoing and completed projects, including port development, industrial zones, and hydropower initiatives, which have contributed to Nigeria’s economic growth and job creation.
Both sides underscored the importance of sustaining high-level engagements and institutional mechanisms such as intergovernmental consultations, which serve as platforms for advancing cooperation in key sectors. The Ambassador also informed the Permanent Secretary of ongoing discussions on economic partnership frameworks, including trade facilitation measures and tariff arrangements aimed at boosting Nigeria’s exports and supporting industrialisation.
On multilateral cooperation, the two parties reaffirmed their commitment to supporting each other on issues of mutual interest at the international level. The Chinese side appreciated Nigeria’s consistent adherence to the One-China Policy and expressed confidence in continued collaboration within global governance frameworks. Nigeria, in turn, reiterated its principled foreign policy stance of non-alignment, peaceful coexistence, and respect for international law.
The meeting also provided an opportunity to discuss emerging global developments. Both sides acknowledged the evolving and increasingly complex international environment and stressed the need for enhanced cooperation among developing countries to promote peace, stability, and equitable global governance.
The Permanent Secretary assured the Ambassador Dunhai of Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and providing an enabling environment for foreign investments. He
further reiterated that Nigeria’s foreign policy remains consistent, neutral, and guided by its national interest.
Both parties expressed optimism about the future of Nigeria–China relations and agreed to continue working closely to consolidate gains and explore new areas of cooperation for the mutual benefit of their peoples.
