On Friday in Beijing, President Bola Tinubu affirmed his readiness to make difficult decisions necessary for advancing Nigeria, while acknowledging the challenge of achieving national consensus on various issues.
Wrapping up his official visit, President Tinubu met with the Nigerian community in China and described his trip as “very good and successful.” He highlighted his discussions with Chinese leaders, including President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, and his participation in the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit. His focus was on enhancing cooperation in infrastructure, trade, finance, energy, the green economy, and mining.
In his remarks, President Tinubu urged Nigerians in China to act as exemplary citizens and good ambassadors of their nation. He stressed the need for discipline and commitment, drawing on China’s disciplined society as a model for Nigeria.
“We must be disciplined and committed to building a respected nation,” he said. He emphasized the importance of leveraging Nigeria’s diversity for national development and stressed that substantial investments are needed to match the infrastructure and public services seen in China.
President Tinubu assured the Nigerian diaspora that Nigeria’s Bank of Industry is ready to partner with them to harness opportunities back home. He noted ongoing reforms and bold decisions, including adjustments to fuel prices, as essential steps toward a better future for Nigeria.
He expressed a commitment to replicate China’s infrastructure achievements in Nigeria, advocating for high-quality education and flourishing businesses. He emphasized that while leadership involves tough decisions, he is dedicated to providing strong guidance for the nation’s progress.
Dr. Oche Barnabas, President of NIDO China, praised President Tinubu for his efforts to strengthen Nigeria-China relations and expressed support for Nigeria’s 4Ds initiative. He also requested President Tinubu’s assistance in advocating for Nigeria to be recognized as a native English-speaking nation in China to improve job and educational opportunities for Nigerians.
Barnabas highlighted that such recognition would increase opportunities for Nigerians in China, noting that South Africa was granted similar status in 2016. He called for the same consideration for Nigeria, citing the country’s use of English and notable figures like Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka.
NIDO China pledged to support President Tinubu’s administration and contribute to enhancing Nigeria’s global stature.
