President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to return to Abuja on Sunday, following an official visit to China and a brief stopover in the United Kingdom.
The President left Nigeria for Beijing on August 29.
His visit began on September 2, when he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People, with the aim of developing diplomatic ties. President Tinubu was welcomed with a 21-gun salute and inspected a guard of honour.
During the bilateral talks with President Xi, Nigeria and China signed five Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs).
These agreements include a Cooperation Plan to promote the Belt and Road Initiative, cooperation in the peaceful application of nuclear energy, and strengthening cooperation on human resource development under the Global Development Initiative.
Other notable MOUs were on Media Exchange and Cooperation and another between the China Media Group and the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).
An agreement was also reached to construct the 68km Lagos Green Rail Line, which will connect the Lekki Free Zone to Marina and link with the Blue Line.
Additionally, a $1 billion iron ore-to-steel project in Kogi State was signed between Nigeria’s Chart and Capstone Integrated Limited and China’s Sinomach-He.
President Tinubu continued his discussions with Chinese Premier Li Qiang the following day. He also attended a Welcoming Banquet and Cultural Gala Performance on the eve of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit hosted by President Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan.
Before attending the opening of FOCAC, President Tinubu visited two major Chinese firms—Huawei and the China Harbour Engineering Company.
At the FOCAC summit, qs ECOWAS chairman he delivered a speech stressing global peace, multilateralism and cooperation as a key for international peace.
Before departing China, President Tinubu met with representatives of the Nigerians in the Diaspora Organisation, China chapter, where he discussed his government’s ongoing reforms. He hopes there will be infrastructural improvements in Nigeria, including better roads, reliable electricity, and quality education, drawing inspiration from China.
President Tinubu later traveled to the United Kingdom, where he met with King Charles III to discuss climate change and global action.
He is expected to arrive in Abuja this weekend, concluding his international engagements.
