From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
The Presidency has said President Bola Tinubu’s visit to the Peoples Republic of China in September would strengthen economic relations and attract investments for Nigeria.
Briefing State House correspondents, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, said President Tinubu who would meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping, would also sign memorandum of understanding and lead an African presentation at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit.
Ngelale highlighted that the President’s agenda includes visits to major corporations, such as Huawei Technologies and the China Railway and Construction Corporation (CRCC).
He said the engagement with CRCC was aimed at expediting the completion of the Ibadan to Abuja segment of the Lagos to Kano high-speed rail line, which reflects Tinubu’s commitment to enhancing Nigeria’s infrastructure and economic growth
He said President Tinubu would also meet with 10 chief executives from major Chinese corporations, which collectively manage over $3 trillion in assets. The discussions, the Presidential spokesman said, would focus on sectors such as ICT, oil and gas, and satellite technology.
Ngelale emphasised that the visit would be to foster both immediate and long-term economic benefits for Nigeria, highlighting the President’s commitment to enhancing the nation’s economic landscape and infrastructure development.
“His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, will depart for the Peoples Republic of China, most specifically, Beijing, from the nation’s capital within the first week of September, to engage in a series of meetings and activities with immediate and future benefit to the Nigerian economy and the Nigerian people.
“First and foremost, His Excellency, Mr. President, will conduct site visits to two major Chinese corporations; Huawei Technologies and the China Rail and Construction Corporation, (CRCC). This is with a view to achieving one of Mr. President’s top agenda items, which is the completion of the Ibadan to Abuja segment of the Lagos to Kano high speed rail line.
“Thereafter, Mr. President will meet 10 selected chief executive officers of 10 major Chinese corporations with assets under management totalling over US$3 trillion across multiple sectors of the economy, including information and communications technology, refining oil and gas, aluminium production, seaport construction, harbour construction and dredging services, financial services, satellite technology development, as well as many other critical sectors,” he said.
Ngelale said President Tinubu and his Chinese counterpart, President Jinping, would be signing several Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) aimed at deepening cooperation between the two nations.
The agreements will focus on key areas, including green economy, agriculture, satellite technology development, media enterprise development and promotion, blue economic development, and national planning corporation.
The meeting will also provide a platform for the two heads of state to discuss matters of mutual interest, spanning economic cooperation, national, regional, and international security and other pressing global issues.
“Mr. President will also meet with his Chinese counterpart in the person of President Xi Jinping, where several MOUs will be signed. The MOUs will involve agreements in deepening cooperation, green economy, agriculture, satellite technology development, media enterprise development and promotion, as well as blue economic development and national planning cooperation.
“This is going to be part of a broader engagement, where the two heads of state will discuss matters of mutual interest across, not just the economy, but also on issues of national, regional and international security,” he said.
Ngelale also said the President, as Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, will join other African leaders at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit, and will deliver key remarks on behalf of the region, addressing critical matters of mutual interest between China and Africa.
He said President Tinubu would also participate in the high-level peace and security plenary, where he would share Nigeria’s perspective on regional and continental security challenges.
“Furthermore, Mr. President will, thereafter, join the FOCAC Summit, where several African heads of state will be present to engage with Chinese leaders on various important matters.
“At this FOCAC Summit, President Tinubu, in his capacity as the Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, will deliver remarks on behalf of the region, and certainly, would proceed to the high level peace and security plenary, where he will further deliver remarks on peace and security in the region and in Africa in his capacity as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“This engagement is expected to yield very tangible, immediate and future dividends for the sake of the Nigerian economy and for the benefit of the Nigerian people. The President is placing a premium on deliverables, ensuring that this is not a talk-shop, but something that will yield results for our people, justifying any expenditure that is made during the course of this trip,” he said.