President Tinubu Returns to Abuja After Productive China Visit and UK Stopover

President Bola Tinubu has returned to Abuja after a successful visit to China focused on trade and investment partnerships, followed by a brief stopover in the UK.

Late on Sunday night, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu made his way to Abuja after concluding official engagements in China and briefly stopping over in the United Kingdom.

Senior members of the administration welcomed the President as he landed at around 10:40 p.m. in Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport’s Presidential Wing.

After 16 days on the road, starting from September 2nd with a rendezvous at Beijing’s Great Hall of People alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping, the President has concluded his travels and is back.

President Tinubu was warmly received in China, which included an inspection of a guard of honor and a 21-gun salute.

In a statement issued on Saturday evening, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy – Bayo Onanuga emphasized that productive deliberations focused on enhancing bilateral relations between both countries marked President Tinubu’s visit to China.

Five Memoranda of Understanding were signed between Nigeria and China during the bilateral meeting with President Jinping.

The next day, Chinese Premier Li Qiang engaged in additional bilateral discussions with a delegation led by President Tinubu.

Later that day, President Xi Jinping and his spouse Peng Liyuan welcomed him to the Welcoming Banquet and Cultural Gala Performance which was held prior to the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit.

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The MOUs signed included a Cooperation Plan between China and Nigeria aimed at advancing the Belt and Road Initiative, collaborating on peaceful use of nuclear energy, as well as enhancing cooperation in developing human resources under the Global Development Initiative.

According to the statement, there were also two other Memorandums of Understanding signed: one on Media Exchange and Cooperation; and another between China Media Group and Nigerian Television Authority.

Onanuga stated that Nigeria entered into an agreement with China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) to construct the Lagos Green rail line, which spans 68 km and will run from the Lekki Free Zone to Marina while linking up with the Blue Line.

Chart and Capstone Integrated Limited of Nigeria signed a memorandum of understanding with Sinomach-He from China for the $1 billion iron ore-to-steel project in Kogi State.

President Tinubu visited Huawei and China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) before attending the opening of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing.

As the chairperson of ECOWAS, President Tinubu presented a discourse on global peace at FOCAC and emphasized that international harmony relies on multilateralism and collaboration.

Concluding his trip to China, he engaged in a gathering with members of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation -China division. In addressing them on their government’s ongoing reforms, he expressed optimism that these initiatives would lead Nigeria towards prosperous amenities such as reliable roads, consistent electricity and high-quality education; similarities found throughout the country of China.

According to the statement, President Tinubu departed from Beijing and stayed in London for a few days. During his time there, he had a meeting with King Charles III on Thursday where they conversed about topics related to climate change and taking action.