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Nigeria-China Relations at 55: Dialogue Highlights Achievements, Strategic Opportunities, and Shared Future
Nigeria-China Relations at 55: Dialogue Highlights Achievements, Strategic Opportunities, and Shared Future
By: Michael Mike
Nigeria and China marked 55 years of diplomatic relations on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, with a high-level dialogue at the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), reflecting on past achievements and exploring opportunities for deeper cooperation across economic, cultural, and strategic sectors.
The event, themed “Nigeria-China at 55 and Beyond”, brought together senior government officials, diplomats, scholars, and private sector leaders. It featured remarks from the Emir of Kano, Mohammed Sanusi II, IPCR Director-General Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, representatives from the Chinese Embassy, and the Centre for China Studies (CCS), highlighting the significance of the long-standing partnership.
In his welcome address, Dr. Ochogwu described the dialogue as a timely platform to assess the evolution of Nigeria-China relations, which have grown from diplomatic ties to a comprehensive partnership spanning infrastructure, trade, technology, education, and people-to-people exchanges.

“Partnerships such as Nigeria-China relations must be continually examined through the lens of peace, stability, and sustainable development,” Dr. Ochogwu said. He emphasized that sustainable development and durable peace are inseparable, noting that economic cooperation must be people-centered, conflict-sensitive, and aligned with national and regional stability goals.
Emir Sanusi II reflected on his personal connection to Nigeria-China relations, recalling that his father, Ambassador Aminu Sanusi, served as Nigeria’s first ambassador to China in 1971. He highlighted the strategic importance of deploying experienced diplomats to critical posts, urging policymakers to prioritize long-term national interests over prestige when determining postings.
“Diplomatic deployments must align with national interests, particularly in emerging geopolitical realities,” he said. Sanusi also stressed that while Chinese infrastructure projects are welcome, Nigeria must focus on domestic production and industrialization to fully leverage bilateral cooperation under frameworks such as the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).
Representatives of the Chinese Embassy reaffirmed China’s commitment to deepening strategic trust, advancing shared development, strengthening multilateral engagement, and promoting mutual learning among civilizations. They cited landmark achievements, including the Lekki Deep Sea Port, Zungeru Hydropower Station, the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano (AKK) Natural Gas Pipeline, and railway modernization projects.
“Over 55 years, China and Nigeria have been trusted friends, supporting each other in national development and regional peace,” the Chinese delegation said. Bilateral trade surpassed USD 28 billion in 2025, a year-on-year increase of over 28 percent, while Chinese direct investment reached USD 690 million, up 103 percent from 2024. People-to-people ties, including educational exchanges, Confucius Institutes, and cultural festivals, were also highlighted as key pillars of the relationship.
The Centre for China Studies (CCS) underscored the historical context of the relationship, noting Nigeria’s early support for China’s seat at the United Nations in 1971 and the continued adherence to the One China Policy. CCS Director Charles Onunaiju emphasized that Nigeria is strategically positioned to benefit from China’s 15th Five-Year Plan and called for closer study of China’s governance and economic policies to inform national development strategies.
“Even though Nigeria and China have achieved much over the past 55 years, what lies ahead is even greater,” Onunaiju said, urging policymakers and scholars to focus on structural transformation, industrialization, and mutually beneficial cooperation.
The dialogue concluded with calls for strengthened strategic engagement, alignment of development priorities, and enhanced people-to-people exchanges, reflecting a shared commitment to sustainable development, regional stability, and a long-term partnership between the two nations.
Nigeria-China Relations at 55: Dialogue Highlights Achievements, Strategic Opportunities, and Shared Future
News
Troops clear bandits’ camps, rescue victims, recover arms in Bauchi
Troops clear bandits’ camps, rescue victims, recover arms in Bauchi
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops under Operation WUTAN DAJI have cleared several bandits’ camps, rescued kidnapped victims and recovered arms during clearance operations in Bauchi State.
Security sources said troops of 33 Artillery Brigade Garrison, in conjunction with elements of the Brigade Headquarters and a team from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), carried out the operation in Kumbodoro forest and Kumbodoro village.

According to the sources, the operation was led by the Commander, 33 Artillery Brigade, Brig.-Gen. S.S. Shehu, as part of ongoing efforts to rid the area of criminal elements.
They added that several bandits’ camps, including Azuge camps, were cleared during the operation, while a number of the criminals were neutralised.
Items recovered include four skeletal rifles, four dane guns, two pairs of boots, three helmets, a power bank, a Startimes decoder, one FN rifle magazine, one AK-47 magazine, communication links, a jackknife, six mobile phones, arrows, radio chargers, ATM cards, photographs, identity cards, as well as several pairs of security agency uniforms and leg chains.

The sources further disclosed that eight kidnapped victims were rescued during the operation.
They said troops are currently holding position within the Kumbodoro forest to consolidate gains from the clearance mission.
In a related development, the sources said troops deployed at Duguri, in collaboration with local vigilantes, recovered 36 cows at Mushen Kura village following information that the animals were roaming the area.

“The cows are suspected to have fled from bandits’ camps due to the ongoing operations and are currently in custody for further action,” the sources said.
They noted that troops’ morale and combat efficiency remain high, while operations continue to deny bandits freedom of action in the region.
Troops clear bandits’ camps, rescue victims, recover arms in Bauchi
News
Joint security forces raid herders’ camp in Rivers, recover arms and ammunition
Joint security forces raid herders’ camp in Rivers, recover arms and ammunition
By: Zagazola Makama
Joint security operatives under the Joint Task Force, South-South, Operation Delta Safe, have raided a suspected herders’ camp in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, recovering arms and ammunition.
Security sources said the operation was carried out at about 1:30 p.m. on April 12 along the IPO community axis by troops of 6 Division Garrison in collaboration with personnel of the Air Force, Navy, Police, Department of State Services (DSS) and Civil Defence Corps.
According to the sources, the raid targeted identified herders’ and cattle rearers’ camps in the area.
They added that items recovered during the operation include one AK-47 rifle, one pump-action gun, 274 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and four mobile phones.
The sources noted that the operation is part of ongoing efforts to curb illegal possession of firearms and enhance security across the Niger Delta region.
Joint security forces raid herders’ camp in Rivers, recover arms and ammunition
News
Zulum establishes quarry centre, procures 70 trucks for infrastructure development
Zulum establishes quarry centre, procures 70 trucks for infrastructure development
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has announced the establishment of a quarry centre in Pulka, Gwoza Local Government Area, to accelerate infrastructure development in the state.
Zulum made this announcement on Monday while flagging off the distribution of 70 brand-new Howo pickup trucks to the Ministry of Works and the State Road Maintenance Agency (BORMA) at the Government House.

The 70 Howo trucks are designed to boost the operational capacity of the Ministry of Works and its supervising agencies. The trucks will enable the swift delivery of materials to sites and faster intervention on distressed roads.
According to the governor, the quarry centre will provide locally sourced materials including granite, gravel and sharp sand to support ongoing and future road projects, reducing dependence on external suppliers and cutting costs.
“We have achieved a lot in health, education, agriculture, security, and road construction among others. However, we still have challenges of constructing roads within the state, especially in rural communities,” Zulum said.
“My administration has established a quarry plant in Pulka with a processing capacity of 120 tons per hour. The State Government spent at least 3 billion to establish the quarry plant”, he added.
According to the governor, due to the prevailing insecurity, most contractors are not willing to work in Borno.

“You know, no serious contractor will take the risk of deploying his equipment to most of the implementing areas, so this is the reason we are here”, the governor reinstated.
“So, we have no option but to strengthen the capacity of the Ministry of Works, the capacity of Borno State Road Maintenance Agency (BORMA), the capacity of special projects, monitoring departments and other MDAs that are responsible for road construction.”
The brief ceremony was attended by the Secretary to Borno State Government, Bukar Tijani, Acting Chief of Staff, Dr Babagana Mustapha Mallumbe, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Works, Engr Baware, BORMA Chairman, Engr Sadu Auno, the Special Adviser on Monitoring and Evaluation, Engr Bukar Gujubawu and other senior officials.
Zulum establishes quarry centre, procures 70 trucks for infrastructure development
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