China has approved a RMB200 million grant for Nigeria to support development projects jointly agreed by both countries, further strengthening the economic and strategic partnership between Abuja and Beijing.
The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, announced the grant on Thursday during a meeting with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr Dunoma Umar Ahmed, in Abuja.
Yu said the financial assistance formed part of China’s continued support for Nigeria’s economic growth and national development, stressing that the funds would be channelled into projects agreed upon by the two governments.
He said the latest commitment underscored the depth of the bilateral relationship, which has endured for 55 years.
According to the envoy, China-Nigeria relations remain a key pillar of China-Africa cooperation and have entered a new phase of high-quality development under the leadership of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Yu said both countries had maintained close communication and coordination to implement agreements reached by their leaders, as well as outcomes from the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Beijing Summit.
He stressed that the ultimate objective was to ensure that bilateral cooperation produced tangible improvements in the lives of citizens in both countries.
Responding, Ahmed expressed appreciation to the Chinese government for its continued support for Nigeria’s economic and social development.
He described the RMB200 million grant as evidence of China’s commitment to Nigeria as a major global partner and a reflection of the longstanding friendship between both countries.
The Permanent Secretary assured that Nigeria would ensure effective utilisation of the funds and work closely with Beijing to implement bilateral agreements and common understandings reached by the two governments.
He said the partnership would further deepen Nigeria-China relations while delivering greater economic and development benefits to the people of both countries.
The latest grant comes as Abuja and Beijing intensify cooperation in infrastructure, trade, investment, development financing and other strategic sectors.
The commitment also underscores efforts by both governments to translate their comprehensive strategic partnership into concrete development projects and measurable economic outcomes for Nigeria.
