By Nafiu Toyin Abdulqadri
Nigeria and China are poised to elevate their military cooperation, with China announcing a grant of CN¥1 billion aimed at training over 7,000 military personnel in Nigeria and other nations. This development was revealed by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, following a meeting between President Bola Tinubu and China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja.
The partnership seeks to enhance Nigeria’s military capabilities through domestic production of military equipment, reducing reliance on foreign procurement. Tuggar emphasized the importance of self-sufficiency, stating, “We want to work with countries like China in domesticating production of military equipment… We need to be able to produce locally”.
This collaboration also underscores Nigeria’s commitment to regional security and its desire to lead by example. Tuggar noted, “Nigeria is a very responsible country working with the constitution, so we’ve never had any expansionist tendencies… We will continue to work with countries such as China to address these challenges”.
China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, echoed the sentiment, highlighting the strategic importance of China-Nigeria relations. He cited the successful elevation of bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership, as well as cooperation in international and regional affairs.
This military cooperation is part of a broader effort to strengthen ties between Nigeria and China, with potential benefits extending beyond security to areas like economy and infrastructure development.