Tinubu Returns to Abuja After Official Visits to China and UK

President Tinubu concluded his trip with a brief stop in London, where he met with King Charles III on Thursday.

Abuja, Nigeria – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to return to Abuja today after concluding an official visit to China and a brief stay in the United Kingdom.

The President departed Abuja on August 29, with a stopover in Dubai before arriving in Beijing on Sunday, September 1, for his official engagements. His visit began on Tuesday, September 2, with a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People. Tinubu was welcomed with a 21-gun salute and also inspected the ceremonial guards.

During the meeting, Nigeria and China signed five Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs). These included agreements on cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, peaceful applications of nuclear energy, and human resource development under the Global Development Initiative. Another MOU focused on media exchange between China Media Group and the Nigerian Television Authority.

Further agreements were signed for infrastructure projects, including the construction of the 68-kilometer Lagos Green Rail Line, which will connect Lekki Free Zone to Marina, and a $1 billion iron ore-to-steel project in Kogi State, promoted by Chart and Capstone Integrated Limited of Nigeria and Sinomach-He of China.

President Tinubu also held bilateral talks with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and visited leading Chinese companies Huawei and China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC). His visit culminated with a speech at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit, where he emphasized multilateralism and global peace.

Before leaving Beijing, the President met with members of the Nigerians in the Diaspora Organisation (China chapter), where he discussed the reforms being undertaken by his administration aimed at improving infrastructure and public services in Nigeria.

President Tinubu concluded his trip with a brief stop in London, where he met with King Charles III on Thursday. The two leaders discussed climate change and potential actions to address its impacts.

The President return to Abuja marks the end of a diplomatic tour aimed at bolstering Nigeria’s international partnerships.