Strategic exchange as Nigeria-China ties deepen further

Nigeria-China ties deepen further as high-level CPC officials meet Nigerian stakeholders to enhance cooperation in governance, trade, and development policy

In a major step to reinforce bilateral diplomacy, Nigeria-China ties deepen further following a high-powered visit by a senior delegation from the Central Party School of the Communist Party of China (CPC) to Abuja.

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The engagement was hosted by the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (NCSP) and marks a significant advancement in institutional collaboration across governance, public service reform, investment, and strategic planning.

The Chinese team, led by Professor Gong Weibin, Vice President of the Central Party School, was joined by top officials from various CPC departments.

Ambassador Yu Dunhai, the Chinese envoy to Nigeria, also participated in the visit.

Welcoming the delegation, NCSP Director-General Joseph Tegbe delivered greetings on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the One China Policy and stressed the need for a progressive development alliance anchored on mutual respect, strategic coordination, and shared prosperity.

Tegbe cited Nigeria’s participation in key forums like the FOCAC Inter-ministerial Meeting and the China–Africa Economic and Trade Expo as evidence of growing alignment with China’s global development goals.

He praised China’s role in championing South-South cooperation and specifically highlighted President Xi Jinping’s Ten Partnership Action Points from the 2024 FOCAC Summit as a strategic blueprint for advancing Nigeria’s growth agenda.

The NCSP chief also applauded China’s zero-tariff policy for 53 African countries, describing it as a transformative move for continental trade and industrial competitiveness.

This visit signifies a new chapter in mutual strategic alignment and institutional cooperation.

He outlined Nigeria’s priorities in agriculture and automobile manufacturing, where collaboration with top Chinese firms is already taking shape.

In his remarks, Professor Gong expressed admiration for Nigeria’s dynamic culture and warm reception. Despite his brief stay, he noted the country’s vibrancy, diversity, and economic promise.

Professor Gong offered insights into the Central Party School’s mandate, which includes civil service training, policy advisory, and ideological research.

With over 3,600 branches and 100,000 faculty members, the School plays a central role in China’s governance ecosystem.

He also recalled that President Xi Jinping once served as its Principal, underscoring its influence on national strategy.

Highlighting existing ties, Gong noted that Nigerian officials have long participated in CPC training programmes.

He extended a formal invitation to Tegbe and the NCSP to visit Beijing for expanded collaboration and knowledge exchange.

The meeting concluded on a note of mutual admiration, particularly around shared values in governance, family cohesion, and national planning.

Tegbe hailed the encounter as timely, reinforcing Nigeria’s reform efforts in public administration and institutional capacity building.

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He pledged NCSP’s continued commitment to fostering people-to-people connections and bilateral innovation in governance.