President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accompanied by a delegation, has wrapped up his official visit to China and is now scheduled to travel to the United Kingdom, with a stopover in Dubai. The announcement of his travel plans was made by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
During his visit to China, President Tinubu engaged with representatives of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organization in China (NIDO China) and the Nigerian community at the China World Hotel. He expressed his administration’s commitment to improving governance in Nigeria, drawing inspiration from China’s successes in infrastructure and public services.
In his address, President Tinubu acknowledged the current economic challenges faced by Nigerians, attributing them to necessary sacrifices aimed at achieving long-term development goals. He highlighted that the recent increase in petrol prices is part of his broader economic reforms designed to facilitate the development of critical infrastructure such as roads, electricity, and schools.
“The current hardships are part of the necessary sacrifices to enable us to provide good roads, constant electricity, quality education, and other essential amenities,” Tinubu said. He emphasized that these sacrifices are integral to building a sustainable future for Nigeria, akin to the advancements seen in China.
The President characterized his visit to China as “very good and successful,” noting that it was marked by significant bilateral discussions with Chinese leaders, including President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang. Key areas of discussion included infrastructure, trade, finance, energy, green economy, and mining.
Furthermore, President Tinubu led Nigeria’s participation in the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). He expressed a desire to replicate China’s impressive infrastructure achievements in Nigeria, acknowledging the difficulty of reaching national consensus on some issues but reiterating his readiness to make tough decisions for the nation’s progress.
“We want our children to benefit from good schools, not from dilapidated structures. We are committed to making our education system innovative and supporting the growth of businesses,” Tinubu stated. He underscored his administration’s commitment to providing effective leadership and implementing necessary reforms to propel Nigeria forward.
As President Tinubu prepares for his journey to the UK, his visit to China and the strategic discussions held are expected to further strengthen Nigeria’s international relationships and support his administration’s development objectives.
