Tuggar: MoUs signed between Nigeria and China at various stages of implementation

Yusuf Tuggar, minister of foreign affairs, says the memoranda of understanding (MoUs) signed between Nigeria and China are at various stages of implementation.

Tuggar spoke in a press conference with Wang Yi, the Chinese foreign minister, in Abuja on Thursday.

During a state visit to China last September, President Bola Tinubu signed five MOUs in a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

They included a cooperation plan between Nigeria and China on jointly promoting the belt and road initiative; cooperation in the peaceful application of nuclear energy; strengthening cooperation on human resource development under the global development initiative; media exchange and cooperation; and a MoU between China Media Group and the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).

The president said the signings elevated Nigeria-China ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

At the press conference, Tuggar said the MoUs are being implemented.

The minister also expressed Nigeria’s continued support for China, hailing the absence of tensions between both countries.

“You have mutual respect and a shared commitment to advancing peace, stability, and prosperity. Moreso, our cooperation has yielded fruitful results in various fields including trade, investment, infrastructure development, and cultural exchange,” Tuggar told his Chinese counterpart.

“As we explore new avenues for collaboration, I wish to acknowledge China’s remarkable progress in economic development, technological innovation and global leadership.

“Nigeria, too, is undergoing significant transformations driven by our vision to become a more prosperous, peaceful and egalitarian nation.

“Consequently, during our discussions, I look forward to exploring avenues to deepen our bilateral engagement, particularly in areas such as trade facilitation, capacity building, and people-to-people exchanges.

“I am confident that our deliberations will yield meaningful outcomes in fostering a brighter future for our nations and our peoples.”

Tinubu also attended the 2024 forum on China-Africa cooperation (FOCAC).

Yi said his visit would follow up with the outcomes from the meeting and “provide new substance to our comprehensive strategic partnership”.

“I am sure that our meeting today will produce new common understandings and that you and your colleagues will continue to work for the growth of our relations,” he added.

Yi said China has always viewed and developed relations with Nigeria from a strategic height and a long-term perspective.

The Chinese minister said Nigeria plays an “irreplaceable and important” role as both countries work for Africa’s peace and development.