President Bola Tinubu is set to embark on another foreign trip to China in the first week of September, just days after returning from France, according to the presidency.
The state visit will coincide with the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, where the Nigerian leader is expected to engage in high-level discussions and strengthen bilateral ties between Nigeria and China.
Tinubu returned to Abuja on Friday following what the presidency had described as a “brief work stay” in France.
Upon arrival, President Tinubu presided over a ceremony at the Council Chamber of the State House, where he administered the oath of office to Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the 23rd Chief Justice of Nigeria, pending Senate confirmation.
According to Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, the trip to China is part of the administration’s efforts to improve the wellbeing of Nigerians.
During his visit, Tinubu is expected to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping, where several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) will be signed.
The president’s itinerary includes visits to two major Chinese corporations, Huawei Technologies, as well as the China Railway and Construction Corporation (CRCC).
“This is with a view to achieve one of Mr President’s top agenda items, which is the completion of the Ibadan-to-Abuja segment of the Lagos-Kano high-speed rail line,” said Ngelale.
Tinubu would also hold meetings with ten Chief Executive Officers of Chinese companies operating in various sectors crucial to Nigeria’s development, including oil and gas, aluminum production, agriculture, and satellite technology.
Ngelale said the series of meetings and activities would have immediate and future benefits to the Nigerian economy and Nigerian people.
“The MOUs will involve agreements in deepening cooperation in 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,” said the spokesman.
According to him, the President will thereafter join the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit, where several African heads of state will be present to engage with Chinese leaders on various important matters.
President Tinubu would make a presentation in his capacity as the chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government on behalf of the region.
Tinubu would thereafter proceed to the high-level peace and security plenary, where he would further make a presentation on peace and security in the region and in Africa.
According to Ngelale, the engagement is expected to yield tangible, immediate and future dividends for the Nigerian economy and for the benefit of the Nigerian people.
“The President will place premium on deliverables, ensuring that this is not a talk show, but will yield results for our people, justifying any expenditure that is made during the course of this trip,” the president’s spokesman added.