Tinubu Hails China Trip, Pledges to Boost Nigeria’s Infrastructure

Beijing, China – President Bola Tinubu has described his recent visit to China as highly successful, promising to apply lessons learned in infrastructure development to Nigeria. Speaking in Beijing to Nigerians living in China, the president said the trip focused on strengthening cooperation in infrastructure, trade, finance, energy, and other sectors.

Addressing the Nigerian community at the China World Hotel, Tinubu shared details of his discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, as well as his participation in the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). He urged Nigerians in China to represent the country positively, stressing the importance of discipline and national pride.

He highlighted China’s disciplined society as a model Nigeria could follow, emphasizing that without discipline, building a respected nation would be difficult. Tinubu acknowledged the importance of difficult economic reforms at home, including fuel price increases, to achieve infrastructure development like that of China, where electricity and water supply are reliable, and schools are well-structured.

The president assured Nigerians in the diaspora that the Bank of Industry would collaborate with them to explore opportunities back home. He also emphasized his administration’s focus on improving Nigeria’s infrastructure, particularly in education, to ensure a better future for the next generation.

Dr. Oche Barnabas, President of Nigerians in Diaspora Organization (NIDO) China, praised Tinubu for bolstering Nigeria-China relations and urged him to help secure Nigeria’s recognition as a native English-speaking nation in China. Such recognition, Barnabas noted, would expand job and educational opportunities for Nigerians in the country, similar to the status granted to South Africa.