President Bola Tinubu will return to Abuja on Sunday following his official visit to China and a brief stay in the United Kingdom, according to a statement from the Presidency.
The visit began on August 29 when Tinubu left Abuja for Beijing, China.
On September 2, the President’s official engagements commenced with a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People. Tinubu was warmly received with a 21-gun salute and an inspection of a guard of honour.
During the meeting, five significant Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed between Nigeria and China. These include a Cooperation Plan to jointly promote the Belt and Road Initiative, an agreement on the peaceful application of nuclear energy, and the strengthening of cooperation on human resource development under the Global Development Initiative.
Additional MoUs covered media exchange and cooperation, including one between China Media Group and the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA). Nigeria also reached an agreement with China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) to construct the 68 km Lagos Green rail line, which will connect Lekki Free Zone to Marina and link with the Blue Line.
Another key MoU involved a $1 billion iron ore-to-steel project in Kogi State, signed between Nigeria’s Chart and Capstone Integrated Limited and China’s Sinomach-He.
Before attending the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit in Beijing, Tinubu visited Huawei and CHEC. At the FOCAC, he delivered a speech as ECOWAS chairman, emphasizing multilateralism and cooperation as essential elements for global peace.
President Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan hosted a Welcoming Banquet and Cultural Gala Performance in honour of Tinubu on the eve of the FOCAC Summit. Tinubu also met with representatives of the Nigerians in the Diaspora Organisation in China, where he outlined his government’s reforms aimed at improving infrastructure, power, and education in Nigeria.
After concluding his visit to China, Tinubu traveled to London, where he met with King Charles III on Thursday. The two leaders discussed climate change and possible collaborative efforts.
The President is expected to return to Nigeria on Sunday.
