China has reiterated its commitment to deepening its strategic partnership with Nigeria, highlighting plans to expand cooperation across multiple sectors.
The pledge was made on Tuesday by Ms. Yan Yuqing, Consul-General of the People’s Republic of China in Lagos, during the opening of the China Pavilion at the 2025 Lagos International Trade Fair.
Speaking at the event, Yuqing emphasised China’s readiness to align its developmental initiatives with Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Agenda and its eight-point economic focus areas.
She noted that the two nations have maintained a productive, mutually beneficial relationship, strengthened further by recent high-level diplomatic exchanges.
“The state visit of President Bola Tinubu to China has elevated our bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, opening new avenues for collaboration and investment,” Yuqing said.
She highlighted the resilience of Sino-Nigerian trade, reporting that from January to September 2025, bilateral trade reached $20 billion, marking a 32.6 per cent increase compared to the previous year.
According to Yuqing, this growth has significantly contributed to Nigeria’s socioeconomic development.
The Consul-General assured that China would continue supporting Nigeria in key sectors, including infrastructure, industrial modernization, digital transformation, agricultural development, food security, vocational training, and cultural exchange.
She also stressed that the 55th anniversary of diplomatic ties would be leveraged to further deepen cooperation and friendship between the two countries.
Mr. Gabriel Idahosa, President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), called for strengthened investment partnerships to unlock economic opportunities and boost regional trade integration.
He encouraged Nigerian manufacturers to learn from China’s entrepreneurial model, which thrives on small-scale, diversified production systems that drive industrial growth and innovation.
Idahosa also praised China’s consistent support for Africa’s economic development through trade, infrastructure, and human capacity building, describing it as a partnership that continues to deliver tangible results.
The 2025 Lagos International Trade Fair, organised by the LCCI, serves as a platform for local and international exhibitors to showcase innovations, strengthen business linkages, and foster sustainable trade relations.
