Nigeria, China expand economic cooperation as ties hit 55 years

Nigeria and China have reaffirmed their diplomatic and strategic partnership as both countries marked the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations at the 2026 Happy Chinese New Year Temple Fair held in Abuja.

The celebration, which took place at the Chinese Cultural Centre, over the weekend, drew audience from senior government officials, diplomats, business leaders, cultural organisations, as well as members of the Chinese and Nigerian communities.

The event also coincided with the celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year, the Year of the Horse, a symbol of strength, resilience and progress, underscoring themes that both countries say reflect the trajectory of their bilateral ties.

Speaking at the event, Zhou Hongyou, China’s Chargé d’Affaires in Nigeria, described the Spring Festival as having evolved beyond a traditional Chinese celebration into a global cultural platform that promotes peace, harmony and mutual understanding among nations.

“The festival’s inclusion on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list has further elevated its international relevance and cultural influence”, he noted.

Zhou said the Abuja temple fair represented a practical demonstration of China’s commitment to cultural dialogue and people-to-people engagement, stressing that cultural exchange remains a critical pillar of China–Nigeria relations.

According to him, cooperation between both countries has continued to expand steadily across key sectors, including trade, infrastructure development, education, science and technology, tourism and cultural exchange.

Reflecting on the historical evolution of bilateral ties, the Chinese envoy recalled that Nigeria and China formally established diplomatic relations in 1971, and have since built a relationship anchored on mutual respect, equality and shared development goals.

He noted that the elevation of the relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2024 marked a turning point, opening the door to deeper and more structured cooperation.

Also speaking at the event, Joseph Tegbe, Director-General and Global Liaison of the Nigeria–China Strategic Partnership (NCSP), reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the One-China Principle, describing it as fundamental to the stability and longevity of relations between both countries.

“Nigeria’s engagement with China has yielded tangible results, particularly in infrastructure development, industrialisation and human capacity building”, Tegbe said.

He highlighted China’s role in landmark projects such as rail infrastructure and port development, which he said continue to play a significant role in supporting Nigeria’s economic transformation agenda.

He disclosed that Nigeria is currently advancing new areas of cooperation with China in agriculture, steel production and education, including a large-scale poultry programme aimed at boosting food security, creating jobs and supporting local farmers.

Tegbe also expressed optimism about ongoing efforts to revitalise the Ajaokuta Steel Complex through collaboration with Chinese partners.

According to him, both countries are strengthening educational and knowledge exchanges through scholarship programmes, joint research initiatives and the development of industrial parks designed to promote technology transfer and skills development.

Speakers at the event further noted that 2026 had been designated the China–Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges, providing a strategic opportunity to deepen cultural understanding and expand cooperation beyond government-to-government engagement to include businesses, institutions and ordinary citizens.

The celebration featured colourful martial arts displays by the Chinese Wushu Association, cultural performances by Nigerian and Chinese artistes, exhibitions showcasing Chinese culture and tourism, as well as interactive activities aimed at fostering friendship and mutual appreciation between the two peoples.