Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has met with Chinese officials in Changsha, the capital of Hunan Province, to strengthen cooperation between both countries, especially in agriculture and food security.
During the high-level meeting with the Governor of Hunan Province, Mao Weiming, Tuggar said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is fully committed to improving agriculture and ensuring food security, which he described as important for Nigeria’s national stability.
Ambassador Tuggar said Nigeria is looking to work closely with Hunan in important areas such as seed technology, agricultural processing, and the supply of farm equipment. He also suggested deeper cooperation in infrastructure, tourism, and the development of special economic zones.
“Hunan has a profound historical heritage and a vibrant economy. The province is an important strategic region for Nigeria in developing its friendly relationship with China,” Tuggar said.
He added that both countries should continue to work together to carry out the agreements made during the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Beijing Summit.
In response, Governor Mao Weiming praised the friendship between Hunan and Nigeria and said both sides have strong potential for more partnership.
“Although Hunan and Nigeria are thousands of miles apart, both sides share a long history of friendly exchanges,” Governor Mao said.
He noted that between January and April this year, trade between Hunan and Nigeria reached 220 million US dollars. He added that imports from Nigeria had increased by 92 percent compared to the same period last year.
Governor Mao expressed hope for more collaboration in agriculture, construction machinery, health care, infrastructure, and tourism. He said, “We should promote alignment in resources, mutual integration of industries, and common development for mutual benefit, contributing to the China-Nigeria comprehensive strategic partnership.”
Both sides also discussed Chinese investments in Nigeria’s agricultural value chain and industrial sectors, as well as the possibility of making Nigeria a key entry point to the wider African market.
They also spoke about cooperation in technology, culture, and skill development, with a shared goal of building a long-lasting and fruitful relationship that will benefit both countries.
