President Bola Tinubu will travel to the People’s Republic of China in early September.
The visit is expected to boost economic partnership and promote investment 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, emphasised the significance of the impending visit.
According to Ngelale, the President would pay visits to important Chinese businesses such as Huawei and the China Rail and Construction Corporation in order to speed up the completion of the Ibadan-Abuja portion of the Lagos-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 totaling over $3 trillion US dollars across multiple sectors of the economy, including information and communications technology, refining oil and gas, aluminum production, seaport construction, harbour construction and dredging services, financial services, satellite technology development, as well as many other critical sectors.”
Ngelale revealed that Tinubu will hold talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, during which both leaders will sign several Memoranda of Understanding to strengthen bilateral ties.
According to Tinubu’s spokesman, the agreements will target crucial sectors such as the green economy, agriculture, satellite technology, media enterprise development, blue economic initiatives, and national planning collaboration.
He added that the meeting will offer an opportunity for the two presidents to discuss broader issues of mutual interest, including economic partnerships, security at national, regional, and international levels, and other global challenges.