The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, has reiterated China’s commitment to bolstering its partnership with Nigeria, as bilateral trade between the two nations surpassed $20 billion in 2024.

Speaking at the Chinese New Year of the Snake celebration in Abuja on Saturday, Dunhai emphasised Nigeria’s growing influence both in Africa and on the global stage.

Dunhai highlighted the enhancement of Nigeria-China relations, which reached the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership following President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to China. He underscored the importance of cultural and people-to-people exchanges as key components of this relationship, celebrated during the annual Spring Festival Temple Fair.

The event, hosted in Abuja, attracted over 2,000 Nigerians and Chinese participants, fostering cultural unity and mutual understanding.

“The year 2025 is going to be a big year for China and Nigeria. This is because last year, President Bola Tinubu paid a state visit to China, and the two presidents agreed to elevate our bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership. One of the pillars of this relationship is the very close people-to-people and cultural exchange.

“We look forward to working with people from all walks of life in Nigeria to materialise the very important consensus we reached between our two heads of state and bring our two countries’ cooperation to a new level.

“The trade volume between both countries exceeded $20 billion last year, and I think Nigeria is the largest engineering contract, the second-largest exporting market, and the third-largest trade partner for China in Africa. And of course, we would like to work with Nigeria to bring our trade volume to an even higher level because we see there is a big potential,” the ambassador stated.

Dunhai expressed optimism about the future of Nigeria-China relations, particularly under the Forum for China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). “We look forward to working with Nigeria to implement the 10 Action Partnerships and bring tangible benefits to the people of both nations,” he added.

Promoting Cultural Heritage

The acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Oraelumo Raphael, also addressed the event. He commended Ambassador Dunhai’s efforts to strengthen cultural ties and emphasized the importance of preserving the rich cultural heritage of both nations. Raphael highlighted Nigeria’s vast tourism potential and envisioned a future where the country’s culture is globally recognized.

In addition, the Deputy Director of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, Xu Tao, praised Nigeria’s immense cultural and natural wealth, further showcasing the shared enthusiasm for deepening mutual ties.

The celebration of the Chinese New Year and the reaffirmation of commitments between Nigeria and China signal a promising future for bilateral relations. With cultural exchanges and economic partnerships at the forefront, both nations are poised to achieve greater milestones in the years ahead.