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The People’s Republic of China and the Federal Republic of Nigeria issued a joint statement of their first plenary session of the intergovernmental committee
The People’s Republic of China and the Federal Republic of Nigeria issued a joint statement of their first plenary session of the intergovernmental committee
By: Michael Mike
The following is the full text of the statement.
Joint Statement of the First Plenary Session of the Intergovernmental Committee between the People’s Republic of China and the Federal Republic of Nigeria
On June 21, 2024, H.E. Wang Yi, Member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, held talks with H.E. Yusuf Tuggar, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The two ministers co-chaired the first Plenary Session of the China-Nigeria Intergovernmental Committee.
The two sides reviewed the positive outcomes achieved since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Nigeria over the past more than 50 years, jointly planned the future development of the bilateral relations, exchanged views on China-Africa relations and major international and regional issues of mutual interest, and reached wide range consensus.
The two sides agreed that over the past more than 50 years, China-Nigeria relations have withstood the test of changes in the international landscape and have become increasingly resilient and more robust. The two countries have developed a good tradition of mutual trust on political and diplomatic issues, mutual benefit in practical cooperation, mutual support in international affairs, and mutual learning in people-to-people exchanges.
Both countries pledged to support each other in their aspirations in various international fora, particularly the UN, G20 and BRICS.
The Government of Nigerian side acknowledges that there is but one China in the world, the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory. Nigeria opposes any separatist activities of “Taiwan independence” in any form, and any external attempts to interfere in China’s internal affairs, and Nigeria will also support the efforts made by the Chinese government to realize national reunification.
The two sides agreed to work towards good governance and democratic values, peace, security and stability in the Sahel region and recognize Nigeria’s leading role in the fight against terrorism and other related transborder crimes. It was also agreed that necessary efforts towards ensuring economic viability of the region would be pursued through infrastructure development and sectoral cooperation.
China commends His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership role in ECOWAS and his efforts towards bringing about stability in the region.
Both governments committed to intensifying efforts to protect the rights and dignity of each others’ citizens living in its country and create a business-friendly environment for their business.
The two sides agreed to support each others’ efforts to promote reunification, ethnic unity and social harmony, endeavor to enhance political mutual trust, and further support each other on matters related to its core interests and major concerns.
The two sides stressed the importance of the Forum on Chin-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) to China-Africa relations and international peace and development and Nigeria supports China in hosting the 2024 FOCAC Summit.
The two sides agreed to strengthen coordination and cooperation in multilateral affairs and jointly uphold the international system with the United Nations at its core and the international order underpinned by international law. The two sides advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world and inclusive economic globalization that benefits all and jointly promotes building a community with a shared future for humanity. Nigeria applauds and supports the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping.
Both countries are dedicated to advancing the high-quality Belt and Road Initiative, facilitating synergies between the Belt and Road Initiative and FOCAC conference outcomes, with the Renewed Hope Agenda and the Eight Priority Areas proposed by President Tinubu, and jointly promoting high-quality, practical cooperation in an all-around manner.
The two countries will continue to strengthen cooperation in the fields of infrastructure, electricity, telecommunications, finance, agriculture, industry, mining and free trade zones. Both countries will jointly explore cooperation opportunities in fields such as digital economy, green economy and blue economy, and they will foster new growth drivers in cooperation.
The Chinese side is willing to expand imports of Nigerian agricultural products. The Nigerian side called for increased partnership in Mining and Solid Mineral development and expressed willingness to partner with Chinese companies to establish manufacturing companies in Nigeria for local consumption and exports.
The two sides stand ready to create an open, transparent, fair and non-discriminatory business environment for the corporate cooperation between the two countries, strengthen the WTO-centered multilateral trading system, oppose trade protectionism, and promote trade and investment liberalization and facilitation. The two sides support more Chinese and Nigerian provinces and municipalities/States and Local Governments in establishing more friendly relations and encouraging sister cities.
China expressed its commitment to support Nigeria in upgrading its science and technology in the military sector, equipment, and capacity building of intelligence to respond more effectively to traditional and non-traditional security challenges at home and aboard, as well as at the regional and international levels, and to safeguard peace and stability of the country.
The two sides are willing to strengthen exchanges and cooperation between the departments in charge of military security, military industry and trade, and police enforcement, to enhance their capacity to safeguard national sovereignty and security interests, and make joint efforts to maintain regional and world peace.
The two countries restated their commitment to enhancing the mutual bond and friendship between the two peoples, mutual trust, interest sharing and common progress through mutual exchanges, mutual leaning and mutual understanding.
The two countries are willing to continue to build culture brands such as the Happy Chinese New Year, Chinese-Nigeria Culture Week, Chinese-Nigeria Film Festival, and Abuja International Art Fair. The two sides will strengthen mutual visits and exchanges between art groups and personnel, promote human resources training in the fields of culture and tourism, and support cooperation in the fields of creative culture between the two sides. The two sides will also strengthen cooperation in cultural and tourism fields such as publishing, film and television production, cultural heritage, libraries, museums, and tourism promotion.
The two sides confirmed their readiness to maintain regular contacts and close communication at all levels on convening the second Plenary Session of the China-Nigeria Intergovernmental Committee and Sessions of its Sub-committees.
The People’s Republic of China and the Federal Republic of Nigeria issued a joint statement of their first plenary session of the intergovernmental committee
News
Ex-NGF Coordinator Onaiwu urges support for NSA security direction
Ex-NGF Coordinator Onaiwu urges support for NSA security direction
By: Michael Mike
A former coordinator of the Nigeria Governors Forum, NGF, Earl Osaro Onaiwu, has called on the political class across party lines to support ongoing security efforts of the federal government.
Onaiwu in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday noted that insecurity is colour blind, has no party affiliation and was religious neutral, therefore, the need for politicians to eschew partisan slant on security matters.
He cautioned that failure by the political elite to support the fight against insecurity leading to several ungoverned spaces could disrupt elections, stressing that except there is a country, then elections are guaranteed.
The former NGF coordinator particularly commended the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for his coordination and strategic efforts in streamlining security policies and engagements in tackling insecurity.
According to him, the recent delivery of military hardware by the United States Government to Nigeria is a demonstration that the NSA was working and his recent foray to the U.S. is yielding the desired results.
“The season requires patriots and this means that irrespective of party affiliations, every politician worth his name needs to support ongoing security efforts as coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
“Insecurity is colour blind, has no party affiliation, it is religious blind and those not respect societal status. Therefore, Nigerians, especially our political class, should lend their support, proffer solutions and galvanise the people to back the government’s security initiatives.
“Only on Tuesday, the federal government received critical military hardware from the United States Government. This is cheering and it shows that the NSA’s recent visit to the United States and the subsequent hosting of delegations in the country is bearing the desired results.
“Also, renewed military and police onslaughts against terrorists and bandits show that the federal government is taking the fight to those who are intent on denying us our peace and well-being.
“The least we can do as citizens is to support the government, provide real time intelligence from our communities and do not engage in fake news on social media against government’s efforts,” Onaiwu stated.
He further called on governors to match the energy of the federal government by supporting the NSA to address the various security challenges in their states as well as continued logistics and equipment to the military and police.
Ex-NGF Coordinator Onaiwu urges support for NSA security direction
News
Court Threatens Contempt Action Against IGP Over Alleged Disobedience in Anozie Abduction Case
Court Threatens Contempt Action Against IGP Over Alleged Disobedience in Anozie Abduction Case
By: Michael Mike
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, is facing possible committal to prison following contempt proceedings initiated over an alleged failure to comply with a Federal High Court order relating to the abduction and disappearance of Mr. John Chukwuemeka Anozie.
The action was instituted by legal counsel to Mr. Anozie’s wife, Mr. Vincent Adodo, who accused the Nigeria Police Force under the leadership of the IGP of willfully disobeying a judgment delivered by the Federal High Court, Abuja, on September 24, 2025.
In the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/865/2025 between Mrs. Nnenna Anozie v. Inspector General of Police, Justice Binta Nyako ordered the IGP to produce for prosecution operatives of the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) alleged to have abducted Mr. Anozie from his Lekki residence in Lagos on June 15, 2017.
The court also directed the police authorities to forward the investigation report and legal advice on the matter to the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation for appropriate action.
The court further awarded ₦2 million in damages against the IGP for failing to respond to a Freedom of Information request submitted by Mrs. Anozie seeking details of investigations into her husband’s disappearance.
The SARS operatives listed in the judgment include officers attached to the former SARS unit in Akwuzu, Anambra State, who were accused of involvement in the alleged abduction.
According to court documents, despite being served with the judgment in October 2025, the IGP has neither complied with the orders of the court nor paid the damages awarded. This development prompted Mrs. Anozie’s legal team to initiate contempt proceedings by serving the IGP with Form 48 (Notice of Consequences of Disobedience to Court Order) and Form 49 (Notice of Committal to Correctional Centre).
The applicant is now seeking an order of court committing the IGP to Kuje Correctional Centre until he complies fully with the judgment.
The motion for contempt has been scheduled for hearing on February 9, 2025, before the Federal High Court, Abuja.
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigeria Police Force has not issued an official response to the contempt proceedings.
Court Threatens Contempt Action Against IGP Over Alleged Disobedience in Anozie Abduction Case
News
VP Shettima Lauds Massachusetts Tech Institute’s Impact On Global Innovation Ecosystem
VP Shettima Lauds Massachusetts Tech Institute’s Impact On Global Innovation Ecosystem
Urges African entrepreneurs to close ranks to fully harness continent’s huge potentials
By: Our Reporter
The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has lauded the transformative impact of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) on the global entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem that has raised over $1.5 billion dollars and created over 30,000 direct jobs in 20 years.
He, however, urged African entrepreneurs to close ranks in order to fully harness the continent’s huge potentials, leveraging MIT’s resource mobilization network and job creation opportunities.
The Vice President made the remarks on Wednesday when he received a delegation from Kuo Sharper Foundry Fellowship 2025-2026 led by MIT’s Executive Director for the Kuo Sharper Centre for Prosperity and Entrepreneurship, Dina Sherif, on a courtesy visit at the presidential villa.

Senator Shettima called for unity of purpose among African professionals and entrepreneurs, saying “Africa is the new frontier and future belongs to the continent but its people must unite to transform potentials into tangible results that impact lives and livelihoods.
“Africa is blessed with enormous human and material resources but its people must fuse into one to benefit from the tremendous opportunities that abound across the continent,” he added.

He disclosed that Nigeria President Bola Tinubu is daring to leverage available opportunities to transform the entire economy, noting that “President Tinubu is not afraid of taking bold decisions that will reposition Nigeria’s economy and better the lives of the livelihoods of the people.”
Earlier in her remarks, the leader of the delegation, Sherif, said the delegation was at the Presidential Villa to brief the Vice President on the activities of MIT’s Kuo Sharper Centre for Prosperity and Entrepreneurship, assuring that the Centre is dedicated to “fueling the engine of entrepreneurship across the world”.
She noted that the team was in Nigeria in view of the Kuo Sharper Foundry Fellowship programme, which, according to her, has helped to entrench the spirit of entrepreneurship across the continent.

Sherif underscored the significance of collaboration among African startups, noting that Nigeria is a leading country, as evidenced in the progress recorded by startups across the continent.
She further assured of improved support for African-based startups from the centre through its various initiatives.

Also present at the meeting with the Vice President were the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs. Zubaida Umar, and some fellows of the Kuo Sharper Foundry Fellowship 2025 – 2026 Session across Africa.
VP Shettima Lauds Massachusetts Tech Institute’s Impact On Global Innovation Ecosystem
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