Yu Dunhai, the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, made the announcement on Nigeria-China trade at the Chinese Cultural Centre in Abuja. Ambassador Yu spoke at the ceremony, emphasising Nigeria’s importance in China’s trade partnerships in Africa.
“Last year, commerce between China and Nigeria exceeded $20 billion. “Nigeria is our largest engineering contract partner, second-largest export market, and third-largest trade partner in Africa,” he stated. He voiced hope about future collaboration between the two countries, saying, “We aim to increase our trade volume even higher because of the immense potential we see in Nigeria.”
The envoy also emphasised the two countries’ broader relationship, which was recently upgraded to a comprehensive strategic cooperation following President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Nigeria. He emphasised the need of cultural and people-to-people contacts in developing bilateral relations.
The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Oraeluno Obi Raphael, welcomed the two nations’ developing economic and cultural collaboration, calling China’s contributions to Nigeria’s cultural and tourism sectors as significant.
“Collaborative efforts in trade, tourism, and the creative economy have not only enriched our societies but also opened avenues for economic growth and mutual prosperity,” Raphael had reported.