The Chinese government on Friday evening donated 470,000 doses of the Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines to Nigeria.

The statement was made by the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, CUI Jianchun, during a visit to the Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire in Abuja.

Jianchun reassured the minister that the vaccines are expected to arrive in the country soon.

According to him, the vaccines were donated to support the country’s fight against COVID-19 in furtherance of the cooperation between the two countries.

“This is perfect proof of the excellent quality of the relationship between our two peoples,” he said.

While appreciating the Asian country’s gesture, Ehanire disclosed that Nigeria is eagerly waiting for the arrival of the 470,000 Sinopharm vials, adding that the country ran out of COVID-19 vaccines since July 8, 2021.

He further stated that China had done a lot to help Nigeria’s development, stressing that “if some relationships like that are to blossom, we will continue to nourish it.”

“And also it doesn’t only help us to address the gaps that we have in the healthcare system, but also generally in other kinds of gaps that we have,” he added.

To date, Nigeria has administered at least 3,938,945 doses of COVID-19 vaccines since the programme started in March.