Tinubu: We’ll replicate China’s commitment to infrastructural development in Nigeria

President Bola Tinubu says the federal government will replicate the commitment of China to infrastructural development in Nigeria.

The president spoke during a meeting with Nigerians living in the country, describing his visit as “very good and successful”.

Tinubu told members of Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation in China (NIDO China) and the Nigerian community at the China World Hotel, Beijing, that he has a very good team.

He stressed his efforts to strengthen cooperation in infrastructure, trade, finance, energy, green economy and mining during his discussions with President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang, and his participation at the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

He also urged Nigerians in China to continue to be good ambassadors of the country, noting that discipline is essential to building a successful society.

“What is uppermost in my mind is for you to continue representing Nigeria as good citizens, and I urge you all to be good ambassadors of our nation in China,” Tinubu said.

“We will always celebrate our diversity. We cherish it, but this diversity is our commitment to serve. If it is about service, we must be good citizens.

“I cannot tell you more, except from the embassy, that China is a very disciplined society, and we have to be disciplined too. Without discipline and commitment, we cannot build a nation that is respected everywhere in the world.

“We must exploit our diversity and be ready to do everything required of us within the laws of the communities that we live in and reflect a good image of our country.

“We want our children to be in good schools, not tattered huts and dilapidated buildings. We must make our teaching innovative and allow businesses of all kinds and sizes to flourish.

“One economic action leads to another, and it is in your hand to build our nation. Mine is to provide the leadership, and I am committed to doing just that.”

The president noted that while it is not always easy for a leader to have a national consensus on issues, he is ready to take the hard decisions to move the nation forward.

“We are focused, and I have a very good team,” he added.

Oche Barnabas, the president of NIDO China, commended Tinubu for his commitment to strengthening Nigeria-China relations, particularly in trade, investment, and people-to-people collaboration.

He expressed NIDO China’s support for Nigeria’s 4Ds initiative, launched by Yusuf Tuggar, the minister of foreign Affairs, earlier in the year.

He pledged that the association is eager to drive the initiative forward within the diaspora community.

He also requested President Tinubu’s assistance in advocating for Nigeria to be officially recognized as a native English-speaking nation, which would open up job and educational opportunities for Nigerians in China.

“Your Excellency, I wish to indulge your kind attention and use this rare opportunity to share a key challenge on behalf of the Nigeria community in China. Due to the peculiar nature of this country, the Nigerian community is mainly composed of students, expatriates, and businessmen,” Barnabas said.

“Our desire is that Nigeria is officially recognized as a native English-speaking nation in China. We believe your esteemed engagements with the high-level authorities can assist us in establishing this status.

“Presently, over 70 percent of available international jobs in China are reserved for native English speakers. In 2016, the local authorities listed South Africa as a native English-speaking nation.

“We believe Nigeria has a chance to receive similar recognition due to the fact that English language is our official language, and we are also blessed with Professor Wole Soyinka, who was awarded the nobel prize in literature in 1986.

“We believe the enhancement of our status will open more opportunities to allow more Nigerians to study and work in China, thereby increasing diaspora remittance to Nigeria.”