By- Abba Hamisu Sani
Africa-Press – Nigeria. Nigeria is the largest economy in Africa and the most populous black nation on earth.The United Nations projections indicated that by 2050 the population of Nigeria will reach 400 hundred Million which will make it the third largest country in the world in terms of population.
This rapid growth without enough infrastructure such as roads ,rail lines and Industries will be a time bomb for Nigeria as a nation.
Against this background Nigeria’s China’s relationship can be described as the best asset for Nigeria that has a huge infrastructural deficit in all aspects of physical and human development.
Nigerian China’s diplomatic relationship can be traced back to 1971 and the strategic partnership began in 2005 ,the all- round ,wide-range and high -quality bilateral cooperation between China and Nigeria has been a pace-setter for China-Africa cooperation.
Nigeria signs Belt and Road Cooperation with China in 2018
The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) or (B and R ) known within China as one Belt one road .It is also a global infrastructure development strategy adopted by the Chinese government in 2013 to in more than 150 countries and International organizations.The Initiative is considered as a centerpiece of the Chinese leader Xi Jinping ‘s foreign policy .
In 2018 Nigeria signed the Belt and Road Cooperation agreement with China from then on, with joint effort from both sides, Nigeria has become China’s biggest Contractor Market, second largest trading partner, and major Investment destination in Africa.
It handles the execution of major projects like the Zungeru Hydroelectric project, the Lagos-Ibadan train route, the Abuja Kaduna rail line, the Lekki Deep Sea Port, and the Abuja -Keffi-Lafiya+Makurdi road dualization, as well as several airport terminals, undertaken by Chinese enterprises have been completed or progressing smoothly.
Vice President Kashim Shatima who represented Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the third Belt and Road Forum (BRF) for International Cooperation which took place between 17 to 18 of October in Beijing China is a real indication of Nigeria’s commitment towards doing business with China.
The theme for the 2023 event is “High-quality Belt and Road Cooperation:Together for Common Development and Prosperity”
Chinese President’s Speech at the Forum
President Xi Jinping delivered the keynote address as he said that the Belt and Road Initiative injects new impetus into the global economy, creates new opportunities for global development, and builds a new platform for International economic cooperation. Belt and Road Cooperation has extended from the Eurasian continent to Africa and Latin America with more than 150 countries and over 30 International organizations signing Belt and Road documents.
“We have held two sessions of the BRF before ,and have established over 20 multilateral cooperation platforms under the BRI”.Jinping said
The Chinese President announced the 8 major steps China will take to support joint pursuit of high -quality Belt and Road cooperation;
1-building a multidimensional Belt and Road connectivity network .2-supporting an open world economy. 3- carrying out practical cooperation.4-promoting green development .5-advancing scientific and technological innovation.6-supporting people-to people exchanges.7-promoting integrity -based Belt and Road cooperation and number -8 strengthening institutional building for international Belt and Road cooperation.
Nigerian and China : good Friends who have shared weak and woe
Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu represented by his Vice Kashim Shatima Congratulated China on successfully hosting the third BRF.He noted that Nigeria and China are good friends who have shared weak and woe and supported each other in times of difficulties .
“China has always treated Nigeria and other African countries with respect and as equals ;it has never bossed them around and has done it’s best to support the African People in seeking independence and development “The Nigerian Vice President stated.
He also thanked China for Proposing series of important global cooperation initiatives for developing countries ,providing valuable assistance for Nigeria’s development ,and boosting the industrialisation process of Nigeria and Africa at large. Shatima stressed that Nigeria is ready to further deepen Belt and Road cooperation with China and lift Nigeria-China relations to a new level.
He also addressed the high-level Forum on Digital Economy of the forum, adding that Nigeria is keen on using the instrumentality of the existing robust Nigeria-China bilateral relations to maximally key into projects under the platform of the Digital Silk Road for the improvement of Nigerian digital space.
Another milestone between Nigeria and China which was witnessed by the Nigerian number two Citizen Kashim Shatima was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the National Agency for Science and Technology Infrastructure and three Chinese partners for new projects valued at 2 billion dollars ,as well as letters of intent between the Chinese and Nigerian partners for new projects and investments ,worth 4 billion dollars .
Meanwhile ,the Federal Ministry of Works also signed an MoU with China Harbour Engineering Company Limited for the Construction of the Lekki Blue Seaport contract at the Lekki Free Trade Zone in Lagos.
Dr. Abbati Bako is a Political Strategy , Communication Consultant and International affairs analyst He described Nigerian relationship with China in whatever aspect as a critical to Nigeria’s development as he added that the Nigeria’s Vice President attending the 2023 Belt and Road Cooperation Forum in Beijing China as an indication of the most populous black Country’s readiness to strengthen economic and Infrastructural ties with China.
“You can not talk of global development in all aspects without mentioning China as it will soon take over the World leadership from America. Bilateral relations between Nigeria and China have been in existence for years as it proves to be fruitful” He said.
The Communication Strategy expert says Nigeria and China share so much in common as the Asian Country has the highest population in the World and the second largest Economy like Nigeria is the most populous black nation and the largest economy in Africa.
So Nigeria has so much to learn from China for the benefit of future generation as China strives to be the second-largest economy in the world which is a journey of more than fourth Years
Experts also believe that it will be the largest economy by 2030 and beyond so he said maintaining a good relationship between Nigeria and China will benefit Nigeria hugely because China is the future World.
Dr. Abbati said if Nigerian leadership under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu maintains a good relationship with China it will be an opportunity for Nigeria to develop. So the relationship of construction, education, and Information Technology (ICT) will give Nigeria a pace leave and facilitate its development
“The only problem we have in maintaining the relationship with China is our tie with Old Skulls that is to say most of the Companies from the Western part of the World more especially construction Companies that we have a long relationship with but that will not hinder Nigeria from continuing with a relationship with other countries of the World, so. it is for our advantage to maintain the relationship between Nigeria and China”The expert stated.
China Invested more than 300 million dollars in Africa
The analyst said another similarity between China and Nigeria is that both the two Countries have six geo-political zones.
Whether the Western countries like it or not China has good leadership qualities that will facilitate its position in leading the World.
And we expect that if China becomes the most powerful country in the World, the global economy and Political sphere will change and almost everything will change. The changes may be to the advantage of the developing countries particularly African nations because China invested more than 300 billion dollars in African countries Nigeria inclusive, so our leaders should make sure that we maintain the good relationship that exists between the two countries and patronize more Chinese companies, their educational institutions such as Universities because China is the future as it has over 6,500 Universities and it is also leading the world interns of scientific issues. If Nigeria learns from China it can also be a leading nation not only In Africa but also in the South.
The effort put in place by President Bola Tinubu and his Vice Senator Kashim Shatima is a good approach that will be to the advantage of Nigeria.
How Nigeria China ties can be more helpful to Nigeria as it struggles with huge infrastructural deficits which need to be filled through different initiatives such as China’s Belt and Road cooperation.
Infrastructures like rail lines and roads are what Nigeria needs at this critical time that the economy of the country is in bad shape.
The western countries seem not be ready to provide such facilities through a loan like China as their economic and foreign relation policies are always to their advantage.
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