By our Correspondent
Chinese Embassy in Abuja on Thursday hosted the inaugural China–Nigeria GovExchange Program Alumni Reunion Gala.
In his keynote speech, Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E. Yu Dunhai stated that the inaugural event brought together over 200 alumni and representatives from across Nigeria’s public and private sectors.
Ambassador Yu noted that since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s state visit to China in September 2024, the China–Nigeria Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has entered a “fast track,” marked by strengthened strategic trust and deepened practical cooperation across multiple sectors. He highlighted 2025 as the 25th anniversary of the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and recalled China’s announcement, at the June Ministerial Meeting of FOCAC Coordinators and its readiness to grant zero-tariff treatment on 100 percent of tariff lines to all 53 African countries with diplomatic ties to China, subject to negotiated agreements.
Yu also referenced China’s commitment to high-standard opening-up under the forthcoming 15th Five-Year Plan, noting that this will create new opportunities for global cooperation, emphasizing the importance of capacity building. He said that to date, China has trained over 10,000 Nigerian participants in different fields, underscoring China’s belief in empowering development through skills and knowledge transfer to support Nigeria’s industrialization and modernization, and to strengthen people-to-people exchanges.
Alumni representatives, including Mrs. Bunmi Olowookere, Permanent Secretary, FCTA Social Development Secretariat; Mr. Atiku Mohammed Kalgo, Special Assistant to the Honourable Minister of State, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction; and Mr. Francis Iyanya, Director, Office of the Director-General, Centre for Management Development, commended the impact of China’s capacity-building initiatives. They highlighted the value of China’s people-centered development philosophy and governance experience, and called for deeper alignment of future programs with Nigeria’s national development priorities to further elevate bilateral relations.
The gala concluded in a warm and convivial atmosphere, reflecting the enduring friendship and growing cooperation between China and Nigeria. (GSF)
