China Offers Support To Nigeria For ECOWAS Leadership And Counter-Terrorism Efforts

In a significant boost to Nigeria’s regional influence, China has promised to support the country in playing a leading role in ECOWAS affairs, particularly in the fight against terrorism.

According to a joint statement issued by both nations, China commended Nigeria’s efforts in bringing stability to the region and pledged to support its leadership role in managing differences and combating terrorism.

The joint statement was made on Tuesday after a meeting of leaders of both countries; President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria and President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China, in Beijing.

President Tinubu is in China on the invitation of President Xi for a state visit, which will be followed by the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

The joint statement detailed the critical components of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership achieved through several agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) signed by both nations during the meeting on Tuesday.

Among other things, both countries agreed to strengthen coordination and cooperation in multilateral affairs, upholding the international system with the United Nations at its core, and promoting a multi-polar world with inclusive economic globalization.

China also offered to support Nigeria’s capacity building, including upgrading its military equipment and intelligence-gathering expertise, to effectively respond to security challenges at home, regionally, and internationally.

The joint statement emphasized the commitment of both nations to safeguarding peace, security, and stability in the region, including the Sahel and Gulf of Guinea.

Additionally, China and Nigeria agreed to strengthen exchanges and cooperation between security agencies to enhance their capacity to protect national sovereignty and security interests and maintain regional and global peace.

“The two sides agreed to strengthen coordination and cooperation in multilateral affairs and jointly uphold the international system with the United Nations at its core, the international order underpinned by international law and the basic norms governing international relations guided by the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter.

“The two sides advocate an equal and orderly multi-polar world and universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalisation and jointly uphold peace, development, equity, justice, democracy and freedom, the common values of humanity, and commit to a new approach to international relations focusing on win-win cooperation.

“China commends Nigeria’s leading role in ECOWAS and its efforts towards bringing stability to the region, it supports Nigeria to play a strong leading role in the regional affairs including the fight against terrorism and managing differences. The two sides agreed to stay committed to safeguarding peace, security, and stability in the region, including the Sahel and Gulf of Guinea.

“China supports Nigeria in its capacity building, such as upgrading its science and technology for its military equipment and intelligence gathering expertise, to respond more effectively to traditional and non-traditional security challenges at home and abroad, as well as at the regional and international levels.

“The two sides are willing to strengthen exchanges and cooperation between security agencies to enhance their capacity to safeguard national sovereignty and security interests and make joint efforts to maintain regional and world peace.”