China and Nigeria have reaffirmed their commitment to deeper defence and security cooperation as Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, met with the Commandant of the National Defence College (NDC), Rear Admiral A. Ahmed, in Abuja on Thursday.
The meeting, held at the NDC headquarters, was attended by Senior Colonel Ouyang Haisheng, Defence Attaché at the Chinese Embassy, and focused on strengthening military-to-military ties under the recently upgraded diplomatic framework between both nations.
Ambassador Yu recalled President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s state visit to China in September 2024, during which he attended the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
“During that visit, President Tinubu and Chinese President Xi Jinping jointly elevated bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership — the highest level of diplomatic engagement China accords its African partners,” he said.
The envoy emphasised that enhanced security cooperation is a key pillar of the new partnership. According to him, China remains committed to expanding collaboration with Nigeria in counter-terrorism operations, capacity building, and professional military education, including strengthened training exchanges with the National Defence College.
“China is willing to continue deepening counter-terrorism cooperation with Nigeria and to broaden personnel training exchanges with the National Defence College,” Yu said, noting that both countries share longstanding interests in peace, stability, and development.
Rear Admiral Ahmed, in his remarks, described China–Nigeria relations as “traditionally friendly,” adding that cooperation between the armed forces of both countries has grown steadily in recent years.
He expressed the College’s readiness to expand engagement with Chinese military institutions, particularly the National Defense University of the People’s Liberation Army, as part of ongoing efforts to enrich professional military education and strategic research.
“The National Defence College looks forward to further deepening cooperation with institutions such as the National Defence University of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army,” Ahmed said.
