President Tinubu Returns to Abuja After Official Visit to China and Stop in London
President Bola Tinubu is set to return to Abuja on Sunday after completing an official visit to China and a brief stay in the United Kingdom.
President Tinubu initially left Abuja for Beijing, China, on August 29. His visit officially began on September 2, when he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People.
During his time in China, Tinubu received a warm welcome, including a 21-gun salute and a guard of honor. In a meeting with President Xi Jinping, the two leaders signed five important agreements aimed at strengthening ties between Nigeria and China.
According to a statement from Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Tinubu also met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang.
As part of the visit, President Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan, hosted Tinubu at a banquet and cultural performance on the eve of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit.
The key agreements signed between Nigeria and China included plans for cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, peaceful use of nuclear energy, and human resource development. Other agreements covered media exchanges between China and Nigeria, as well as the construction of the 68 km Lagos Green rail line, which will connect Lekki Free Zone to Marina.
Additionally, an agreement worth $1 billion was signed for an iron ore-to-steel project in Kogi State, between Chart and Capstone Integrated Limited of Nigeria and Sinomach-He of China.
Before attending the FOCAC Summit, President Tinubu visited two major Chinese companies: Huawei and China Harbour Engineering Company. At the summit, Tinubu, serving as the Chairman of ECOWAS, gave a speech on the importance of global cooperation for peace.
During his stay in China, Tinubu also met with the Nigerian Diaspora community and emphasized the importance of his government’s reforms, expressing hope that they would lead Nigeria towards better infrastructure, education, and power.
After leaving China, President Tinubu spent a few days in London, where he met with King Charles III to discuss climate change and related issues.
With the visit completed, Tinubu is set to return to Abuja, bringing back new agreements and partnerships to strengthen Nigeria’s development.
