President Bola Tinubu will make a key visit to the People’s Republic of China in early September, with the goal of improving economic partnership and bringing critical investments to Nigeria.
The trip is viewed as a strategic step to boost bilateral relations between the two countries while seeking important commercial prospects.
During a briefing at the State House in Abuja on Tuesday, Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, stressed the significance of the approaching visit.
According to Ngelale, Tinubu would visit important Chinese businesses, including Huawei and the China Rail and Construction Corporation, to expedite the completion of the Ibadan to Abuja portion of the Lagos to Kano rail project.
He further stated that Tinubu will meet with the CEOs of ten major Chinese firms, which oversee over $3 trillion in assets across industries such as ICT, oil and gas, aluminium production, seaport construction, finance, and satellite technology.
He stated, “His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will depart for the People’s Republic of China, most specifically, Beijing, from the nation’s capital within the first week of September, to engage in a series of meetings and activities with immediate and future benefit to the Nigerian economy and the Nigerian people.
“First and foremost, His Excellency, Mr. President, will conduct site visits to two major Chinese corporations: Huawei Technologies as well as the China Rail and Construction Corporation (CRCC). This is to achieve one of Mr. President’s top agenda items, which is the completion of the Ibadan to Abuja segment of the Lagos to Kano high-speed rail line.
“Thereafter His Excellency, Mr. President, will meet 10 selected chief executive officers of 10 major Chinese corporations with assets under management totalling over $3 trillion US dollars across multiple sectors of the economy, including information and communications technology, refining oil and gas, aluminium production, seaport construction, harbour construction and dredging services, financial services, satellite technology development, as well as many other critical sectors.”
He noted that the meeting will provide an opportunity for the two presidents to discuss broader matters of mutual interest, such as economic relationships, security at the national, regional, and international levels, and other global concerns.