The Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, welcomed the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E Yu Dunhai, on Tuesday in a meeting focused on deepening bilateral relations, particularly in the FCT.
During their discussions, Minister Wike highlighted existing partnerships with Chinese firms, including China Geo-engineering Corporation (CGC) and China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC). He emphasized the importance of key projects such as the satellite town water development initiative by CGC and the city light-up project, jointly undertaken by CCECC and CGC.
To address concerns about streetlight vandalism, the Minister announced that new installations would incorporate enhanced security measures. He also stressed the need to expedite the completion of the water project as Abuja gears up for its 50th-anniversary celebrations next year, reinforcing the government’s commitment to significant infrastructural improvements.
Looking to expand cooperation, Barr. Wike proposed Chinese investments in Nigeria’s agricultural sector, citing the country’s fertile land as a prime opportunity for collaboration. He also underscored the importance of vocational education, particularly in ICT, as a means of empowering Nigerian youth and securing the nation’s economic future.
Reassuring the Chinese delegation of a secure and business-friendly environment within the FCT, the Minister pledged full support for their activities. “We are committed to fostering a strong and mutually beneficial relationship,” he affirmed.
In response, Ambassador Yu Dunhai commended the rapid development of Abuja under Minister Wike’s leadership. He acknowledged China’s existing contributions to key FCT projects, including the Abuja light rail, road construction, agricultural demonstration initiatives, and traffic light installations.
Drawing parallels between China’s modernization strategy and Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Agenda under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Ambassador reaffirmed China’s dedication to strengthening bilateral ties. He highlighted key areas of collaboration, including political trust, development cooperation, mutual learning, and security assistance.
Additionally, Ambassador Yu emphasized the significance of people-to-people exchanges, revealing ongoing efforts to establish “China Corners” in FCT high schools to promote cultural and educational ties. “The future lies in our youth and in fostering greater communication between our peoples. As Chinese Ambassador, I will work diligently to implement the consensus reached by our Heads of State and collaborate closely with the FCT administration to bring tangible benefits to our nations,” he stated.
The meeting concluded with both parties reaffirming their commitment to enhancing the long-standing relationship between China and Nigeria.
Among those in attendance were the Director of the Political Section of the Chinese Embassy, Mr. Zhu Songbo; Attache of the Political Section, Mr. Wang Kangning; the Chief of Staff to the Minister, Hon. Chidi Amadi; General Counsel, Barr. Salma Dako; and the Economic Planning Secretary.
