• President Bola Tinubu, during his visit to Beijing, on Friday, September 6, affirmed his commitment to making tough decisions necessary for Nigeria's progress. 
• He highlighted the productive discussions he had with Chinese leaders, including President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, as well as his participation in the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
• He expressed support for Nigeria's 4Ds initiative, introduced earlier by Foreign Affairs Minister Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, and committed to advancing this initiative within the diaspora community.

Addressing a gathering of Nigerians in China, Tinubu acknowledged the challenges leaders face in achieving national consensus on critical issues.

President Bola Tinubu, during his visit to Beijing, on Friday, September 6, affirmed his commitment to making tough decisions necessary for Nigeria's progress. 

Speaking at the China World Hotel, where he met with members of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organization (NIDO) China and the broader Nigerian community, Tinubu described his visit as "very good and successful." 

He highlighted the productive discussions he had with Chinese leaders, including President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, as well as his participation in the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

Tinubu stressed the importance of Nigerians in the diaspora representing their country with integrity and commitment. He encouraged them to act as good ambassadors and to reflect positively on Nigeria while respecting the laws of their host country.

 "We must embrace our diversity as a strength and commit to being disciplined and dedicated citizens," he said, drawing a parallel to China’s disciplined society.

The President emphasized that Nigeria is undergoing significant reforms and making bold decisions, including recent changes in fuel pricing, to build a robust infrastructure and provide quality services like those seen in China. He urged Nigerians to understand that meaningful development often requires difficult choices and long-term commitment.

Addressing the Nigerian diaspora’s role, Tinubu reassured them that Nigeria’s Bank of Industry is ready to collaborate on opportunities back home. He underscored the importance of building a nation that is respected globally and ensuring that future generations inherit a country with improved infrastructure and education.

Dr. Oche Barnabas, President of NIDO China, praised President Tinubu’s efforts to strengthen Nigeria-China relations, particularly in trade, investment, and people-to-people exchanges. 

He expressed support for Nigeria's 4Ds initiative, introduced earlier by Foreign Affairs Minister Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, and committed to advancing this initiative within the diaspora community.

Barnabas also requested Tinubu’s support in advocating for Nigeria’s recognition as a native English-speaking country in China. He noted that such recognition could open job and educational opportunities for Nigerians and boost diaspora remittances. 

He cited South Africa’s recognition in 2016 and suggested that Nigeria, with its official language being English and the esteemed literary achievements of figures like Wole Soyinka, could also achieve this status.

In response, President Tinubu assured that his administration would continue to focus on elevating Nigeria’s global standing and expressed his readiness to lead the nation through these transformative times.

Tinubu, Xi meeting to reach economic, bilateral agreements

Earlier, TheRadar reported that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China are leading a meeting expected to lead to the signing of some economic and bilateral agreements.

The robust bilateral agreements between the two countries focus on crucial sectors, such as the green economy, agricultural advancement, satellite technology innovation, development and promotion of media enterprises, blue economic growth, and collaborative national planning efforts.