Persistent Dedication: China’s 15th Five-Year Plan to Continue the Development Miracle

By: Michael Mike

A foreign head of state used to tell Chinese President Xi Jinping, “China has a major advantage, which is always formulating various plans and ensuring they are fully implemented.” One of the most representative examples he noted is the Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development. President Xi Jingping emphasized that the formulation and implementation of these well-designed five-year plans reflect important experience on governance of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and represent a significant political advantage of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

In October, during the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the CPC in Beijing, the Recommendations of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China for Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development was adopted. Once reviewed and approved next year by the National People’s Congress, the plan will become the 15th Five-Year Plan since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, providing top-level design and strategic guidance for China’s economic and social development over the next five years and outlining a dynamic blueprint that captures the momentum of the times.

Since its founding in 1949, the People’s Republic of China has successfully implemented 14 Five-Year Plans spanning more than seven decades. Through the sustained efforts of successive generations, the country has steadily transformed itself from a poor and backward nation into the world’s second-largest economy and largest manufacturing hub. Throughout this period, Chinese society has maintained enduring harmony and stability, with its people living and working in peace and contentment and its per capita GDP now exceeding $13,000. These achievements exemplify what has been termed the “Two Miracles” — rapid economic growth coupled with long-term social stability — a phenomenon rarely seen elsewhere in the world. Central to this success is the distinctive Chinese approach to Five-Year Planning.

During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, China saw its economic and technological strength as well as its comprehensive national strength leap to a new level, and Chinese modernization made solid new strides. China’s economic strength rose substantially, its global influence was further enhanced, and its scientific and technological capabilities gained global attention. In 2024, China’s GDP reached 18.9 trillion USD (based on the average annual exchange rate), firmly maintaining its position as the world’s second-largest economy. China’s annual contribution to global economic growth remains around 30%, making it one of the most stable and reliable sources of global economic development, fully demonstrating the resilience and vitality of a major economy, and becoming one of the fastest-growing countries in terms of innovation capacity.

At the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the goal was set to basically achieve socialist modernization from 2020 to 2035. The 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021–2025), representing the first phase of this timeline, has achieved a strong start. The subsequent period from 2026 to 2030, which falls under the 15th Five-Year Plan, will be a crucial stage for consolidating the foundation and achieving all-out progress to basically achieve socialist modernization by 2035. As such, it will serve as a key link between the past and the future. A well-formulated and effectively implemented 15th Five-Year Plan will lay a more solid foundation for reaching this goal. The 15th Five-Year Plan will continue to focus on promoting high-quality development as its central theme and set out the guiding principles, major objectives, strategic tasks, and significant measures for economic and social development over the next five years, thereby drawing a grand blueprint for economic and social development.

Looking ahead, China’s development prospects are bright. By leveraging the strengths of socialism with Chinese characteristics, China’s enormous market, its complete industrial system, and its abundant human resources and under the strong leadership of the CPC, the Chinese people will pool their strength and turn this grand blueprint into reality through sustained and determined efforts.

Formulating and implementing Five-Year Plans with Chinese characteristics not only injects sustained momentum and stability into China’s own development, but also offers a new governance paradigm for many Global South countries that have been exploring modernization—namely, a “long-termism” development approach that is self-reliant and sustainable. Chinese modernization will provide important references and practical opportunities for Nigeria and other African countries to achieve economic transformation, advance industrialization, and enhance self-reliant development capacity. Within framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China is willing to strengthen governance experience-sharing and development strategy alignment with Nigeria, deepen practical cooperation between the two countries across various fields. The two countries will work together to implement zero-tariff policies through negotiation and signing of joint development economic partnership agreements, therefore enabling Nigeria to unlock its development potential, strengthen its endogenous driving force, and promote the building of a high-level China-Nigeria community with a shared future.

Persistent Dedication: China’s 15th Five-Year Plan to Continue the Development Miracle

China Shows Interest in Nigeria’s Music Industry

By: Michael Mike

China has shown interest in collaboration at building Nigeria’s music industry as a tool of advancing the existing cultural diplomacy between both countries.

Speaking at the final of the “China-Africa Good Partners – 2025 Chinese-English Singing Competition” held at the Nigeria-China Cultural Centre in Abuja, Counselor of the Chinese Embassy, Yang Jianxing while reaffirming his government’s commitment to advancing cultural diplomacy as a cornerstone of its foreign relations with Nigeria, said China was ready to use the power of music to strengthen mutual understanding and deepen people-to-people connections between the two nations.

He said: “Music transcends borders, and song is a bridge connecting hearts,” adding that: “Today’s competition is not merely a vocal contest but a dialogue between Chinese and African cultures, and a testament to friendship that transcends mountains and seas.”

He said over the past 54 years, China and Nigeria have nurtured a relationship built on equality, mutual respect, and shared development.

Yang said: “Since the establishment of diplomatic relations 54 years ago, China and Nigeria have remained good brothers who respect each other and treat each other as equals, and good partners who seek mutual benefit and win-win development.”

He noted that cultural diplomacy has become a central pillar of China’s engagement with Africa, complementing economic and political cooperation.

“Cultural exchange is a crucial link in promoting the steady and long-term development of bilateral relations,” he remarked. “This competition serves as a window into the harmonious interplay of our cultures and strengthens the belief that mutual appreciation can lead to lasting friendship.”

He further explained that the competition reflects the goals of the “People-to-People Exchange Partnership Action” proposed by President Xi Jinping during the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2024.

Yang said: “By allowing different languages to blend in melodies and different cultures to resonate through exchange,” stressing that “we are reinforcing the foundation of public goodwill that underpins the China-Nigeria comprehensive strategic partnership.”

Addressing the participants, the Chinese diplomat lauded them as “ambassadors of cultural understanding” whose performances have strengthened the human bond between both nations.

He told the contestants that: “Each and every one of you is a winner. Your voices express love for life and friendship, allowing us to feel the joy of closer ties between our peoples.”

Also speaking at the event, the President of the China Alumni Association of Nigeria Muhammed Sulaiman commended the initiative for its role in advancing China-Nigeria relations through soft diplomacy.

He said: “This is not just a competition—it is a profound way of cultural exchange, Over the years, China and Nigeria have built a smooth and enduring relationship, and events like this help to strengthen those bonds.”

He encouraged future editions of the event to incorporate performances in Nigerian indigenous languages alongside Chinese and English songs, describing such inclusion as an opportunity to enhance cultural understanding.

Sulaiman said: “Perhaps one day, we will not only hear English and Chinese songs but also Nigerian languages,” he said. “That will tie us even closer together.”

He further praised the China Cultural Centre in Nigeria for providing a platform that consistently promotes mutual respect and cooperation between both nations.

He said: “This initiative shows the strength and unity that cultural diplomacy can foster,” he added. “It must continue to grow.”

The 2025 Chinese-English Singing Competition, is part of ongoing cultural initiatives supported by the Chinese Embassy and the China Cultural Centre in Nigeria, is widely seen as a soft diplomacy effort aimed at deepening understanding between the peoples of both nations while showcasing the unifying power of art.

In the Chinese Category, Glory Livingston emerged as the overall winner, earning loud applause for her heartfelt rendition. James Augustine took second place, while Yang Xin, Shen Lili, and Zhu Xiang Yang jointly clinched the third position.

In the English Category, Zhang Ji won the top prize for his outstanding vocal performance. Lu Yongbin and Wang Jiayi secured second place, while Liuyiming, Ekpety Edima, and Igwe Okezie shared the third-place spot.

The winners were presented with awards and certificates in recognition of their artistry and contribution to promoting cultural understanding between China and Nigeria.

The event closed with a group performance that brought all finalists together on stage—symbolizing, in the words of Counselor Yang, “the harmony of two peoples united by song, friendship, and shared aspiration.”

The event was attended by diplomats, cultural officials, and art enthusiasts.

China Shows Interest in Nigeria’s Music Industry

Wawa Barracks Is Not a Genocide Camp: Inside Nigeria’s Multi-Agency Counter-Terrorism Detention System

By: Zagazola Makama

Amid viral social media claims alleging “genocide by unlawful detention” and “secret execution of detainees” at the Wawa Military Cantonment in Niger State, findings by Zagazola Investigation reveal a very different reality: Wawa is not a secret torture camp, but one of Nigeria’s three structured, multi-agency detention and investigation hubs used for handling suspects arrested in terrorism-related operations.

The claims have gained traction on some fringe advocacy platforms. But investigation by Zagazola Investigation, involving interviews with senior security officials, lawyers involved in terrorism prosecutions, and independent monitors, shows a much different reality one backed by documentation, video, pictures, court records, and multilateral oversight.

Contrary to online report, the facility does not hold individuals simply for political dissent or IPOB sympathy. Instead, those kept at Wawa are individuals classified as high-risk terrorism suspects, already screened, investigated and recommended for prosecution under federal anti-terrorism law.

Rather than a clandestine “genocide camp,” Wawa Cantonment operates as one of the federally designated holding centres for terrorism suspects awaiting trial transferred from the Northeast joint operations theatre. Its detainees are not randomly arrested civilians, they are individuals classified after investigation as high-risk Boko Haram / ISWAP or other related terrorism suspects to be prosecuted under the Terrorism Prevention Act (2011, 2013, amended 2022).

The centre of the process is the Joint Investigation Centre (JIC), a multi-agency counterterrorism facility established to: “hold, screen, investigate and categorize suspected terrorists arrested by frontline units.”

They are screened and investigated by the Complex Casework Group( CCG) represented from Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, Defence Intelligence Agency NSCDC, NDLEA, Immigration and Office of Attorney General.

The CCG, a team of federal lawyers, vets every file and determines those that will be sent to sent to Kainji/Giwa for trial, those that will be rehabilitated through Operation Safe Corridor and those that required to be reintegrated are handed over to Borno State Government. Biometric data, case files, and legal opinions accompany every transfer.

After preliminary arrest at the frontline: Suspect is transferred to JIC with exhibits and initial report, Case file opened, investigators from multiple agencies interview the suspect, Federal High Court grants remand order for detention.
Therefore, contrary to online claims of torture and starvation, JIC operates under internationally monitored guidelines:

Zagazola found out that the inmate were fed three meals daily, with supplements for malnourished suspects Medical care
On-site clinic, referral to UMTH and 7 Div Hospital. TB cases are isolated and treated
while all detainees are issued new clothing, underwear, toiletries Psychosocial wellbeing
TV in cells, physical exercise times, library and skills acquisition.

While family link restoration message delivered to families through ICRC. Notably, children detained with mothers receive basic education, while adults undergo skills training: tailoring, cap-making, poultry, fish farming, barbing.

Senior Military official overseeing JIC operations: “We do not have authority to detain indefinitely. Every person here is under a court-issued remand order. We investigate; lawyers decide. We do not sentence.”

Barr. Ahmed Mainasara, federal terrorism prosecutor (AGF delegation): said There are no secret trials. We conduct legal reviews, issue remand orders, and ensure suspects’ rights are respected. The public simply does not understand the process.”

“Genocide requires intent to wipe out a people. Detention and prosecution of terrorism suspects is lawful. The word genocide is being misused for propaganda.”Mainasara said.

He said that the trial for terrorism cases are held inside military locations because witnesses and investigators cannot be exposed publicly. It is a security necessity, not secrecy.”he said.

ICRC representative, (name withheld): “We have unrestricted access to all detainees. Any claim that these places are ‘off the books’ is false.”

The narrative circulating online claims that hundreds were secretly executed.
Security officials clarified to Zagazola Investigation: “About 200 suspects have been tried and sentenced, not executed. Many are serving long sentences in Kainji Correctional Facility.” Court records reviewed include: FHC/ABJ/CR/21/2019, FHC/KNJ/CR/42/2022, among others.

Military top official overseeing the facilities, told Zagazola that the detention facility in Wawa Barracks, Niger State, is not an illegal facility as alleged. It is backed by a Remand Order issued by the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Justice for the continued detention of suspects such as high-profile Boko Haram terrorists, bandit leaders and members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) pending the conclusion of their cases.

“The Nigerian Army’s role is purely to provide security and ensure the safety of the facility, its personnel and all individuals lawfully detained pending the completion of their trials. The trial of suspects in the facility is conducted by the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP) under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Justice.

“These proceedings are transparently conducted in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), as well as the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). They are also regularly attended by other International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs), human rights observers and relevant stakeholders, ensuring strict adherence to the rule of law and international standards.

“Contrary to the false narrative being circulated, the outcomes of these trials are always made public through the media, reflecting the government’s commitment to accountability and transparency.

Zagazola Investigation found no evidence supporting claims of genocide, secret executions or unlawful detention at Wawa Cantonment. Instead, Nigeria operates a structured, multi-agency, court-regulated system that includes humanitarian oversight arguably one of the most transparent counter-terrorism detention models in Sub-Saharan Africa.

While detention timelines need improvement and more terrorism courts are required, the narrative of mass killing and genocide inside Wawa is false, and unsupported by evidence.

Zagazola Makama is a Counter Insurgency Expert and Security Analyst in the Lake Chad Region

Wawa Barracks Is Not a Genocide Camp: Inside Nigeria’s Multi-Agency Counter-Terrorism Detention System