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FOREIGN POLICY AND THE PATH TO PEACE IN A DANGEROUS NEIGHBOURHOOD

Published

2 years ago

January 8, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

FOREIGN POLICY AND THE PATH TO PEACE IN A DANGEROUS NEIGHBOURHOOD

By: Michael
Mike

Nigeria’s foreign policy to promote peace and prosperity is a constitutional obligation as much as it is a considered and sensible manifesto pledge, writes Hon Yusuf Tuggar, Minister of Foreign Affairs.

I was born in a civil war and was not able to vote for my leader until I was in my 30s. Nigeria is now a country guided by the rule of law and a constitution that clearly defines our system of government. This includes our foreign policy objectives, and rightly so, because in an interconnected world, we define our sovereignty in the context of certain, key principles: our right to self-determination; our right to defend our autonomy and secure our borders; and responsibility to respect our obligations under international law.

As foreign minister, I think these provisions are not just reasonable but vital – both for our own democracy, domestic peace and prosperity but also for a more just and stable international order. But the point is this: it is the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, not the manifesto of a political party or predilections of a particular politician, that lays out these provisions. In a democracy, we have the privilege of healthy debate about our values, policies and performance. But if we are to live up to the responsibilities that come with democracy, that debate should be informed, fair and reasonable.

I respect the Constitution and its vision for Nigeria’s place in the international community, as do many of us. It has been an honour and a privilege to protect and promote those constitutional principles. They are the best guarantees for legitimacy, and the authority all governments need if they are to deliver. It is complex and time consuming. To our cost, we have learnt that there are no short cuts. Some Nigerians find fault in our Constitution, while others seek to amend it. There is always room for serious debate in a healthy democracy. But the fact remains it is the very document that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and every public official has sworn to uphold since 1999.

Nigeria’s Constitution declares that sovereignty belongs to the people of Nigeria, from whom government, through this Constitution, derives all its powers and authority. The same Chapter of the Constitution goes on to state Nigeria’s five foreign policy objectives: promotion and protection of the national interest, African integration and support for African unity, promotion of international cooperation for peace and mutual respect, respect of international law and treaty obligations and promotion of a just world economic order. Those who suggest Nigeria does not have a foreign policy or those who agitate for a shift away from an Afro-centric foreign policy are wrong; either they are ill-informed, or deliberately disingenuous.

The irony of it all is that Nigerians are able to speak in support of our military-ruled neighbours, governed without constitutions, precisely because Chapter Four of our own constitution guarantees them these rights and freedoms. This is not the same for the citizens ruled by the very regimes for which they seek to cheerlead of those countries governed without constitutions. Nigerians who are older than 30 know this to be true because we have been there, done that. Somehow in the passage of time, some forget that the military regime here that despatched troops to restore democracy in Sierra Leone and Liberia in the 1990s had first – and by force – taken that same democracy and rule of law away from us – just as military regimes continue to do the world over.

The Constitution also makes clear why any responsible Nigerian government should be concerned when neighbours are governed without a constitution or codified rules. It goes without saying that the sovereignty of our neighbours is their business. They can grant powers to whatever governing structures they deem fit and should expect their autonomy to remain safeguarded. But when our Interdependence Sovereignty overlaps, we equally have a right to exercise control over our borders in those cases where neighbours face insurgencies that significantly comprise territorial integrity and state authority.

International Legal Sovereignty also becomes an issue when we consider that respect for international law and treaty obligations is one of our irreducible foreign policy objectives. This is not the Tinubu administration’s foreign policy; it is a constitutional provision that every Nigerian President and government official swears to uphold. Nigeria is a member of ECOWAS, which is founded on treaties and protocols to which our foreign policy objectives commit us. All 15 member countries are signatory to the treaties and protocols, which is why it was no surprise that President Tinubu, as one who swore to uphold the Constitution, abided by it when ECOWAS leaders collectively objected to Unconstitutional Changes of Government.

In reality, the contemporary nation-state system is highly competitive and Nigeria exists in a self-help world. Our Constitution and international laws are meant to serve as guard rails in navigating the system. And by virtue of our size, we have the additional responsibility of being the regional power. Regardless of how some may try to diminish our standing, it is the way other countries perceive us. Our Constitution further reifies this leadership role right from the preamble- dedicating ourselves to promoting inter-African solidarity, to the foreign policy objectives- promotion of African integration and support for African unity and elimination of discrimination in all its manifestations.

The Tinubu administration comes at a time when an interlocking suite of occurrences have made our neighbourhood less secure; implosion of Libya, failure of the EU Sahel Strategy, terrorism and criminal gangs, effects of climate change and population explosion. Nigeria did not create these challenges and was equally contending with its own domestic issue as these challenges escalated. Nigeria was not part of Operation Barkhane or the G5 in the Sahel, which were intended as efforts to fight terrorism and irregular migration but instead strengthened some irridentist Azawad/Tuareg groups that controlled border areas. This created a cauldron of disharmony between them and their national militaries, trained for a lifetime to keep their countries intact.

Nor was Nigeria part of the Partnership Framework with Third countries that conditioned aid and trade deals for Sahelian migration transit states in exchange for reducing the flow of migrants, with penalties for those who do not comply. In the case of Niger, a moment of truth was the passing of Law 2015-36 in May 2015 when its government, in consultation with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and technical and financial support from the European Union and its member states, criminalized ancillary activities of the migration economy, such as providing transportation and accommodation to foreign nationals anywhere north of Agadez, in direct contravention of ECOWAS Protocol on the free movement of people. They were persuaded to use a blunt hammer to crack a delicate nut. There is a highly politicised migration crisis in parts of Europe, that together we can and should resolve. But it was reckless to seek to solve one problem by creating another.

There is a reason why we have free movement in West Africa; seasonal migration- referred to in Hausa as ‘Ci Rani’. Seasonal migration in the semi-arid Sahel can be a matter of life and death, which is why we have always had turbaned Tuaregs going as far as Lagos and Port Harcourt to work as Maigadis (security) during the dry months, only to return back north during the rainy season. The weaponisation of sub-Saharan migration in Europe as a political tool led to the securitisation of the Sahel region, further exacerbating the security situation by forcing many of those affected to turn to criminal activities and terrorism. European migration figures show majority of migrants are from Syria, Afghanistan and Central Asia, not sub-Saharan Africa.

Yes, we need to work with our Sahelian neighbours to fight terrorism, by maintaining a right of pursuit into each others territories. But it would be myopic to think of this in absolutist terms, because we can accede to all conditionalities laid by them, it would still not be enough to tackle the challenges without a lasting solution to the bifurcated Libyan State as a source of weapons, training and fighters, as well as the shadowy involvement of a range of other state and non-state actors.

To achieve a lasting peace in Libya and the Sahel, Nigeria needs to deal with all the countries in the neighbourhood as well as all the major powers. For this reason, it does not make sense to simply deduce that Nigeria has to distance itself from France because that is the prevailing trend in its former colonies. The fulcrum of the Tinubu administration’s foreign policy is Strategic Autonomy, providing us with the clarity to engage with any and all nations based on our national interests and not those of others. As a nation, Nigeria is adult enough and sophisticated enough to deal with countries without being unduly influenced, because that has been part of our historical and civic tradition. You cannot cure an illness by picking which symptoms to consider and which to ignore.

Nigeria and ECOWAS will continue diplomatic efforts towards Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso. At a minimum, we have shared interest in peaceful co-existence. President Tinubu has sent a number of high-level delegations that included a former Head of State, traditional rulers and religious scholars. President Tinubu pushed for the unconditional removal of ECOWAS sanctions imposed on Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso. What he has consistently asked of the countries in question is for them to come up with a timetable for the restoration of constitutional rule and, in the case of Niger, the release of ousted President Bazoum.

Their response was to declare their intention to leave ECOWAS. With the one-year notice period coming to an end in January 2025, President Tinubu further pushed for ECOWAS to extend the grace period for another six months whilst intensifying diplomatic efforts. The response to this initiative last month was evidence-free allegations that Nigeria was harbouring foreign soldiers and as sponsoring state terrorism. Whenever President Tinubu and other democratic leaders offer stoic statesmanship and an opportunity to work together towards our common interests, it is met by confected controversy designed to divert and distract from a failure to meet the basic responsibilities of public administration. I know why coup leaders might seek to do that: it’s harder to understand the motives of apologists closer to home.

On my part, since assuming the office of Minister of Foreign Affairs on 21st August 2023, I have engaged diplomatically without pause, proposing personal visits and inviting senior government officials and representatives. Response has been akin to a diplomatic cold shoulder. We constituted a ministerial advisory committee that visited Niger and Mali and facilitated the visit of the Nigerian CDS to meet with his counterpart in Niamey. I regret that a proposed return visit was suspended by Niger after a date had been set. But let there be no doubt: we will continue to pursue diplomatic efforts assiduously, with a Ministry of Foreign Affairs that has existed for 67 years.

Nigeria’s principle of strategic autonomy is one that abhors the presence of foreign forces and private military companies in our region, whether from east or west. Nigeria presently has troops on peace keeping operations in Guinea Bissau and Gambia, with Sierra Leone on the way, where it is also supporting the setting up of a logistics base in Lungi. Nigeria is also leading the actualisation of the ECOWAS standby force, all in an effort to fight terrorism and instability within our region under the rule of law. We work closely with our partners on sharing of intelligence in order to guarantee the same rights and freedoms are enjoyed by all the people of the region.

As several of my colleagues in the region remind me, we are the hegemon, whether we admit it or not. And global politics works almost like physics, with polarity, ordering principles, distribution of power, balancing, etc. Nigeria has never had expansionist tendencies, never been threatening towards our neighbours and always chosen the path of peace and conciliation. This in part may have to do with the makeup of our polity and social fabric. Being such a huge country, we are used to the virtues of principled compromise. It is not by accident that we are the only country on the continent with six former leaders living in peace and harmony within our borders. Diversity, not division, is our strength. This is as true for Nigeria as it is for the smallest of countries – and collectively for all of our region.

FOREIGN POLICY AND THE PATH TO PEACE IN A DANGEROUS NEIGHBOURHOOD

News

Maccido at 20: Family Tasks Leaders on Dialogue, Accountability

Published

12 hours ago

October 26, 2026

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Maccido at 20: Family Tasks Leaders on Dialogue, Accountability

By: Michael Mike

The family of the late Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Maccido, has challenged Nigerian leaders to embrace dialogue, accountability and religious tolerance as the country grapples with insecurity, communal tensions and growing threats to peaceful coexistence.

The call came as the family prepares to mark 20 years since Maccido died in the October 29, 2006, ADC Airlines Flight 053 crash in Abuja, which claimed 96 lives, including the Sultan, his son, Senator Badamasi Maccido, and his grandson.

In a statement on Sunday signed by Bello Maccido, the family said the late monarch’s leadership philosophy offered enduring lessons for a country struggling with security and social challenges.

“At a time when our nation faces serious security and social challenges, the ideals our father stood for remain as relevant as ever,” the family said.

Maccido, who became the 19th Sultan of Sokoto in April 1996, was known for his emphasis on consultation, moderation, national unity and service to humanity. He also served as President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, where he occupied a prominent position in the country’s Islamic leadership.

Born in 1926 in Dange, Sokoto State, Maccido was a son of Sultan Abubakar III and a descendant of Sheikh Usman dan Fodio. Before ascending the throne, he served in public administration, including as Presidential Liaison Officer in Sokoto State.

The family said his reign was marked by support for interfaith engagement, education, public health and campaigns against polio and HIV/AIDS, reflecting his conviction that traditional institutions should contribute meaningfully to national development.

It recalled former President Shehu Shagari’s description of Maccido as a patient and consultative leader who preferred dialogue to confrontation.

“He does not rush or dictate things,” Shagari was quoted as saying.

The Sultan died when an ADC Boeing 737 crashed shortly after taking off from Abuja on October 29, 2006. He had travelled to the capital to attend a Presidential Forum on Education.

The tragedy also claimed the lives of several other passengers and crew, making the anniversary a moment of remembrance for families affected by the disaster.

The Maccido family urged Nigerians to preserve the late Sultan’s legacy by promoting peaceful coexistence, justice and national unity. It also called for stronger aviation safety measures and regulatory accountability to prevent similar tragedies.

“Let this twentieth remembrance be more than an occasion for mourning,” the family said, urging citizens to work towards the peaceful, just and united society the late monarch championed.

Maccido at 20: Family Tasks Leaders on Dialogue, Accountability

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NDLEA busts drug network as South African woman, US-based grandma arrested

Published

21 hours ago

October 25, 2026

Ochuwa Ibrahim

NDLEA busts drug network as South African woman, US-based grandma arrested

By: Michael Mike

A South African woman allegedly recruited to smuggle 36.65 kilogrammes of cocaine out of Nigeria, a United States-based Nigerian grandmother accused of bringing in 9.45 kilogrammes of high-grade cannabis, and a Lagos car dealer suspected of facilitating the cocaine courier’s movements have been arrested in separate operations by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

The arrests, involving international drug consignments moving through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, have exposed fresh leads in investigations into suspected cross-border trafficking networks, as the agency intensifies operations against drug syndicates and their local collaborators.

The South African suspect, identified as 34-year-old Qhina Beauty, allegedly agreed to transport the cocaine for a reward of R20,000, while the 62-year-old Nigerian-American grandmother, Anetor Gloria Ubong, reportedly told investigators that a box containing the cannabis was given to her in the United States for delivery to her daughter’s fiancé in Nigeria.

The arrests formed part of a nationwide crackdown that also uncovered large consignments of pharmaceutical opioids, cannabis and other illicit substances in Lagos, Delta, Kano, Bauchi, Niger, Edo, Ondo, Taraba and Oyo states.

The latest development comes against the backdrop of previous cases involving South African nationals arrested for drug trafficking in Nigeria, including a woman sentenced to a total of 40 years’ imprisonment in September for importing 5.75 kilogrammes of heroin into the country.

According to a statement by the spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi, Qhina was arrested on October 7 by NDLEA operatives at the Lagos airport as she prepared to board a Qatar Airways flight to South Africa through Doha.

He said a search of her two travelling bags uncovered 30 blocks of cocaine weighing 36.65 kilogrammes, wrapped in cellophane tape, mixed with dried pepper and concealed in seven separate parcels.

She was reported to have during interrogation told investigators that she had arrived in Nigeria on September 30 specifically to collect the consignment. She allegedly identified another South African woman as her recruiter and said she had been promised R20,000 upon successful delivery.

She also reportedly identified two other alleged members of the network, one based in the United States and the other a Lagos-based car dealer.

Babafemi said following further investigation and surveillance, NDLEA operatives arrested the suspected local accomplice, 46-year-old Uchenna Umunnakwe, at Apple Junction, Ago Palace Way, Lagos, on October 14.

He said Umunnakwe admitted receiving Qhina at the airport, arranging her accommodation at Santiago Hotel in Amuwo-Odofin and subsequently moving her to Cynarisso Hotel near the airport ahead of her departure.

The arrest of the car dealer has widened the investigation beyond the interception of the cocaine consignment to the alleged logistics supporting the courier’s movements within Lagos.

In another airport operation, NDLEA officers arrested Anetor Ubong on October 21 after she arrived from Houston, Texas, aboard a United Airlines flight.

The 62-year-old realtor, who is based in Richmond, Texas, and holds Nigerian and United States passports, was found with 18 parcels of loud weighing 9.45 kilogrammes in her two checked-in boxes.

The substance, a high-potency form of cannabis, was concealed with gift-wrapping paper inside a box.

Ubong reportedly told investigators that her daughter and the daughter’s future brother-in-law had delivered the box to her home in the United States for onward delivery in Nigeria to her daughter’s fiancé, identified as Jibola.

The agency’s investigation into the two airport interceptions comes amid other high-profile cases involving foreign drug couriers.

In September, a Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced South African national Will Jessica Ann to a total of 40 years’ imprisonment for importing 5.75 kilogrammes of heroin into Nigeria.

Ann was arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on July 6, after arriving from Doha aboard a Qatar Airways flight. NDLEA operatives reportedly discovered 14 blocks of heroin in her luggage.

The agency said further investigations linked her to an alleged international trafficking network involving her husband, Jan Coenraad De Jager, who was arrested in Johannesburg on July 27 over an alleged attempt to traffic 3.2 kilogrammes of illicit drugs to Hong Kong.

Justice Obiora Egwuatu convicted Ann after she pleaded guilty to charges relating to importing heroin and conspiracy to import the substance. The sentences were ordered to run concurrently.

The earlier case underlines the potential international reach of drug trafficking networks that use couriers to move consignments between continents, although there is no established evidence linking Ann’s case to the latest investigation involving Qhina.

Beyond the airport seizures, NDLEA operatives recorded substantial recoveries across the country, including thousands of opioid tablets, codeine syrup, cannabis consignments and cultivated cannabis farms.

In Lagos, a special operations unit arrested 41-year-old Eletu Rasheedat in the Eti-Osa area on October 23, recovering 5,820 pills of diazepam, 780 tramadol tablets, 3.7 kilogrammes of skunk and 230.25 litres of skuchies.

In Delta State, operatives arrested 51-year-old Peter Ugochukwu in Warri with a large cache of pharmaceutical opioids.

The agency listed the seizures as 29,350 tramadol capsules, 6,620 tablets of tramadol 200mg, 4,116 bottles of codeine syrup, 11,340 Rohypnol tablets, 3,500 diazepam tablets, 300 ampoules of pentazocine injection and 200 ampoules of diazepam injection.

Quantities of tramadol 225mg, Molly and Cocodamol were also recovered. The suspect and a white Hummer bus were transferred from the Nigeria Police Force in Delta State to the NDLEA.

In a separate operation at Enerhen Junction, Warri, operatives arrested 46-year-old Helen Bakporo Samson, a physically challenged woman, on October 19 with six kilogrammes of skunk.

In Oyo State, officers arrested 41-year-old Fajana Dada Oluwaseyi in the Adamasingba area of Ibadan on October 19. The agency said he had earlier escaped arrest after operatives seized 197.8 kilogrammes of cannabis from his residence on September 16.

A raid in the Gerawa area of Kano State on October 22 led to the arrest of 30-year-old Murtala Lawan and the seizure of 159 blocks of cannabis weighing 97.2 kilogrammes.

In Taraba State, operatives at the Lankaviri checkpoint in Yorro Local Government Area intercepted 39-year-old Raiyanu Misa on October 23 with 95 blocks of compressed cannabis weighing 60.175 kilogrammes.

On the same day, the agency received another suspect from the police following his arrest at Dakka village in Bali Local Government Area, where 112 blocks of compressed cannabis weighing 81.49 kilogrammes were recovered.

In Niger State, NDLEA officers arrested 26-year-old Emmanuel Ekene on October 19 along the Sabo-Kainji road in Borgu Local Government Area, recovering 64,000 pills of opioids, including tramadol and diazepam.

In Bauchi State, operatives arrested 45-year-old Jamilu Mustapha, also known as Last Card, at Nasaru town in Ningi Local Government Area on October 21. They seized 379 kilogrammes of cannabis packed in seven large sacks.

The agency also recorded significant seizures from cannabis farms in Ondo and Edo states.

Babafemi said acting on intelligence, operatives raided a farm at Board-Ala in Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State on October 20, recovering 56 bags of abandoned cannabis weighing 583 kilogrammes.

In Edo State, officers destroyed two cannabis farms in Ugbada Forest, Uzebba, Owan West Local Government Area, on October 18. The farms had an estimated yield of 2,023.14 kilogrammes.

During the operation, operatives destroyed 450 kilogrammes of processed cannabis by burning and took another 97 kilogrammes as exhibits. In a related operation at Ewe community in Owan West, they arrested 42-year-old Mary Edokhai with 35 kilogrammes of the substance.

The agency said its enforcement operations were complemented by public sensitisation campaigns under its War Against Drug Abuse initiative, with lectures delivered to students and staff of schools in Oyo, Niger, Ogun, Kano, Enugu, Anambra and Osun states, among other locations.

NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), commended officers of the Lagos airport and the Kano, Lagos, Bauchi, Niger, Edo, Ondo, Taraba, Oyo and Delta commands for what he described as vigilance, professionalism and intelligence-driven operations.

He urged personnel nationwide to sustain the momentum in the fight against drug trafficking and substance abuse.

NDLEA busts drug network as South African woman, US-based grandma arrested

News

China Takes Taiwan Reunification Campaign to Africa Through Abuja Exhibition

Published

21 hours ago

October 25, 2026

Ochuwa Ibrahim

China Takes Taiwan Reunification Campaign to Africa Through Abuja Exhibition

By: Michael Mike

China has stepped up efforts to rally African understanding of its position on Taiwan, using an exhibition in Abuja to draw parallels between Beijing’s reunification agenda and the continent’s historical struggles against colonialism and foreign domination.

The exhibition, organised by Xinhua News Agency’s Africa Regional Bureau in partnership with other organisations, brought together diplomats, researchers, business leaders and media practitioners on Friday to commemorate the 81st anniversary of Taiwan’s restoration to China after Japan’s defeat in the Second World War.

Held under the theme, “Remembering Taiwan’s Restoration, Advancing National Reunification,” the exhibition featured more than 30 photographs across four thematic sections documenting historical events surrounding Taiwan’s return to Chinese control in 1945.

Beyond the historical displays, the event provided a platform for Chinese representatives and Nigerian scholars to advance Beijing’s position on national sovereignty, territorial integrity and the eventual reunification of China and Taiwan.

Gui Tao, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Xinhua News Agency’s Africa Regional Bureau, said the exhibition was part of a series of commemorative activities taking place in Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa and Mozambique.

He said the initiative was designed to deepen African understanding of China’s historical experience, adding that the continent’s encounters with colonialism and struggles for independence provided a basis for appreciating Beijing’s position on national unity.

Gui said the historical experiences of China and African countries underscored the importance of sovereignty, national dignity and respect for historical facts.

He maintained that understanding each other’s history was essential to strengthening relations between China and African countries, particularly through cultural engagement and people-to-people exchanges.

Yang Jianxing, Cultural Counsellor at the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, described Taiwan’s restoration as an important outcome of China’s victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.

He said the photographs and accompanying historical records illustrated China’s determination to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity, stressing that the commemoration offered an opportunity to reflect on the historical significance of Taiwan’s restoration and Beijing’s commitment to national reunification.

Hu Jieguo, Secretary-General of the China Council for the Promotion of Peaceful National Reunification in Western Africa, also linked the anniversary to the sacrifices made by millions of Chinese during the war against foreign aggression.

Hu said the historical experiences of China and Nigeria offered common ground for discussions about sovereignty and national unity, noting that both countries had experienced the consequences of foreign domination.

The Chinese representatives’ appeal received support from Nigerian scholars who drew parallels between China’s position on Taiwan and Nigeria’s diplomatic commitment to the one-China principle.

Sheriff Ibrahim, Head of the Centre for Contemporary China-Africa Research in Nigeria, said Nigeria had consistently reaffirmed its recognition of the one-China principle.

He compared China’s efforts to preserve national unity with Nigeria’s own experience in protecting its territorial integrity and expressed confidence that Beijing would eventually achieve peaceful reunification with Taiwan.

Similarly, Charles Onunaiju, Director of the Centre for China Studies in Nigeria, said Africa’s experience of colonialism and foreign intervention offered a historical context for understanding China’s concerns about sovereignty and national unity.

The exhibition also sought to reinforce its message through personal accounts of Taiwanese businesspeople living and working on the Chinese mainland, presenting economic and social connections as part of the broader relationship between Taiwan and mainland China.

Chen Chi-An, Executive Vice President of the Guangzhou Taiwan-Funded Enterprises Association, said more than 2,900 Taiwan-funded companies were operating in Guangzhou.

He also highlighted the presence of Taiwanese students in the city, describing his professional interactions with young people from mainland China as one of the rewarding aspects of his experience.

Wu Chun-Jui, President of the Taiwan Businessmen Association in Dongguan, said the city offered a favourable business environment for Taiwanese entrepreneurs. He disclosed that Taiwanese businesspeople had established privately funded hospitals and schools there, contributing to local development.

Hsu Fu-hsien, President of the Taiwan Merchant Association in Shenzhen, said he had lived and worked in the city since 1990, building his career and family there.

Hsu said his experience reflected the connections developed by Taiwanese businesspeople on the mainland, expressing hope that the exhibition would help African audiences better understand their experiences.

The event also featured the presentation of a book edited by Xinhua News Agency, while Taiwan businessmen associations in Guangzhou and Shenzhen donated books to Nigerian officials and experts.

The exhibition formed part of broader activities aimed at promoting cultural exchanges and discussions on China’s historical experience and relations with African countries.

China Takes Taiwan Reunification Campaign to Africa Through Abuja Exhibition