China has announced a RMB 200 million (N41.8 billion) grant to Nigeria to support the implementation of development projects agreed upon by the two governments, in a fresh demonstration of Beijing’s expanding economic partnership with Abuja.
The announcement was made on Thursday by the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E. Yu Dunhai, during a meeting with the Permanent Secretary of Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Dunoma Umar Ahmed, in Abuja.
Yu said the grant was part of China’s continuing support for Nigeria’s national development and economic growth, stressing that the assistance would be deployed to projects jointly agreed by the two governments.
He said the latest commitment underscored the depth of relations between both countries, which have maintained diplomatic ties for 55 years.
According to the envoy, China-Nigeria relations have remained at the forefront of China-Africa relations and, under the strategic leadership of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the bilateral relationship has entered a new phase of high-quality development.
Yu said Beijing and Abuja had maintained close communication and coordination while working to implement agreements reached by their two leaders, as well as the outcomes of the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Beijing Summit.
He added that the objective was to ensure that the benefits of bilateral cooperation translated into tangible improvements in the lives of citizens of both countries.
Responding, the Nigerian Permanent Secretary thanked the Chinese government for what he described as its concrete support for Nigeria’s economic and social development.
Ahmed said the RMB 200 million grant demonstrated China’s commitment as a major global partner and reflected the deep friendship between Nigeria and China.
He assured that Nigeria would ensure the effective utilisation of the grant and work closely with China to implement the bilateral agreements and common understandings reached by both governments.
The Permanent Secretary said such cooperation would further strengthen Nigeria-China relations while delivering greater benefits to the peoples of both countries.
The fresh financial commitment comes as Abuja and Beijing continue to deepen cooperation in infrastructure, trade, investment, development financing and other strategic sectors, with both governments seeking to translate their comprehensive strategic partnership into concrete development outcomes.
(vitalnewsngr.com)
