President Bola Tinubu is preparing for another international journey, shortly after his return from France.
It was gathered that, President Tinubu is scheduled to visit China in first week of September.
The Nigerian leader will participate in the 2024 Forum on China–Africa Cooperation during this visit.
The Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to President Tinubu, Ajuri Ngelale, shared the details of the trip at a press briefing held at the Presidential Villa on Tuesday.
Ngelale emphasized that the visit is part of the current administration’s strategy to enhance the welfare of Nigerians.
President Tinubu is anticipated to hold talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping and sign several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs).
Ngelale announced that President Tinubu will engage with major Chinese firms, including Huawei and the China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC), to fast-track the Ibadan to Abuja section of the Lagos to Kano rail project.
He further mentioned that Tinubu will also convene with the CEOs of ten leading Chinese corporations, which collectively manage over $3 trillion in assets across various sectors such as ICT, oil and gas, aluminum manufacturing, port development, finance, and satellite technology.
Ngelale stated, “His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will depart for the People’s Republic of China, most specifically, Beijing, from the nation’s capital within the first week of September, to engage in a series of meetings and activities with immediate and future benefit to the Nigerian economy and the Nigerian people.
“First and foremost, His Excellency, Mr. President, will conduct site visits to two major Chinese corporations; Huawei Technologies, as well as the China Rail and Construction Corporation, (CRCC). This is to achieve one of Mr. President’s top agenda items, which is the completion of the Ibadan to Abuja segment of the Lagos to Kano high-speed rail line.
“Thereafter His Excellency, Mr. President, will meet 10 selected chief executive officers of 10 major Chinese corporations with assets under management totaling over $3 trillion US dollars across multiple sectors of the economy, including information and communications technology, refining oil and gas, aluminum production, seaport construction, harbour construction and dredging services, financial services, satellite technology development, as well as many other critical sectors.”
According to Tinubu’s spokesperson, these agreements will focus on essential areas such as the green economy, agriculture, satellite technology, media enterprise development, blue economic initiatives, and national planning cooperation.
He also mentioned that the meeting will provide an opportunity for the two presidents to discuss broader issues of mutual concern, including economic partnerships, security at the national, regional, and international levels, as well as other global challenges.