By Zika Bobby
China’s involvement in Lagos is a win-win situation for both sides. China is helping to develop Lagos’ infrastructure and economy while also gaining access to a large and dynamic market. Lagos is benefiting from China’s expertise and resources while also learning from its culture and experiences.
Together, China and Lagos are creating a more prosperous and harmonious future for Africa.
Commuters in Lagos say China’s involvement in the construction of world-class infrastructure is gradually turning the state into a mega city.
From roads to railways, to airports, China’s involvement in their construction has left many surprised as Lagosians say they no longer spend long hours on the road to work.
Before the Lagos Blue Rail was built, commuters spent hours in traffic.
“I used to leave home by 5am and I won’t get to my office until 9am. It used to be that bad. It was very stressful. I always got to work late, and very exhausted when I arrived home late at night.
“But with the rails now working, home to work is now about 45 minutes. That’s a good time saved,” said Bunmi Aliyu, a resident of Agboju, in the Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area of the state.
“The Lagos Blue Rail has made a huge difference in my life. Now I have more time to spend with my family and friends, and I am not as stressed as I used to be,” she added.
Aliyu’s story is just one of many on how China’s investment in infrastructure is transforming the lives of Lagosians.
The Lagos Blue Rail and the new international airport terminal are making Lagos a more livable and prosperous city for everyone.
Both projects are being built by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), a subsidiary of China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC), one of the largest construction companies in the world.
The 13-kilometre-long (8-mile) first phase of the metro rail service in Lagos carried its first passengers on September 4, 2023. The Blue Line links the mainland part of the city where most people live with the more affluent Lagos Island, where many businesses are headquartered.
The Lagos Blue Rail is a light rail system that will run for 27.5 kilometres across the city, linking the suburbs to the central business district. On completion, it is estimated that it will carry over 500,000 passengers daily.
Another project that makes travel more convenient and smoother is the new international airport terminal. It has the capacity to accommodate millions of passengers annually.
Both the Lagos Blue Rail and the new international airport terminal are expected to have a positive impact on Lagos’ economy and quality of life. They will create jobs, boost tourism and attract new investment to the city.
They will also make it easier for Lagosians to get around and access the resources they need to succeed.
These projects are not the only way that China is transforming Lagos with. Its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a global development strategy aims to connect Asia, Europe, and Africa through trade and infrastructure.
After a decade of development, the BRI has effectively promoted economic integration and interconnected development and delivered benefits to all.
China’s cultural cooperation with Nigeria is another plus. The Huaxing Arts Troupe Nigeria (HATN), a Lagos-based institution that is dedicated to promoting cultural exchange between Nigeria and China.
Led by Dr. Eric Ni, a Chinese businessman and philanthropist, HATN is composed of talented Nigerian and Chinese performers who showcase the rich and diverse cultural heritage of both countries.
The arts troupe regularly holds performances and cultural exchange programmes in schools, communities and public venues across Lagos.
The troupe performs traditional and contemporary dances, music and drama from both countries and organises workshops and competitions for participants.
One of the recent events that HATN held was a cultural exchange programme for pupils of the Federal Housing Primary School and Awoyaya Primary School, Victoria Island.
The event featured different onsite school activities such as cultural dance, martial arts display, musical drama, and other cultural performances. The pupils trooped out in their numbers to experience their local and Chinese cultural flavour. HATN also supported the schools with educational support materials just as some lucky students won mouthwatering prizes for their outstanding performances.
Dr. Ni, who is also the chairman of HATN, said that the event was aimed at fostering mutual understanding and friendship between Nigeria and China through culture. He said that culture is a powerful tool for promoting sustainable socio-economic development, as it can help to connect people, transcend borders and language barriers, and can also help to inculcate values such as respect, tolerance and understanding.
“Today, we have witnessed the power of cultural exchange, as our talented HuaXing Arts Troupe showcased the vibrant and mesmerizing Chinese cultural dances, while the students of these esteemed schools brought forth the rich and diverse tapestry of Nigerian culture,” Dr. Ni said.
He added that it is through these exchange programmes that they learn to appreciate and celebrate their differences, fostering understanding and unity among their nations. He also stressed that education is the gateway to a brighter future, and reiterated China’s commitment to continue to support the educational growth of Nigeria.