Tinubu return to Abuja after official visit to China, UK

President Bola Tinubu is set to return to Abuja on Sunday following his official visit to China and a brief stay in the United Kingdom.

Tinubu departed Abuja for Beijing, China, on August 29, where he began his official engagements on Tuesday, September 2, with a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People.

In a statement released on Saturday, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, revealed that President Tinubu was warmly welcomed in China with a 21-gun salute and a guard of honour. During his bilateral talks with President Xi, five Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed between Nigeria and China.

These agreements include cooperation on the Belt and Road Initiative, peaceful nuclear energy applications, and media exchange between China Media Group and the Nigerian Television Authority.

One notable MoU involves the construction of the 68 km Lagos Green Rail Line, set to run from the Lekki Free Zone to Marina, in collaboration with China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC). Another $1 billion iron ore-to-steel project for Kogi State was also finalized.

President Tinubu held further discussions with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and attended the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), where he delivered a paper on global peace, emphasizing multilateral cooperation. His visit concluded with a meeting with Nigerians in the Diaspora Organisation, China chapter, where he discussed ongoing reforms in Nigeria.

Following his visit to China, President Tinubu spent a few days in London, meeting with King Charles III to discuss climate change and other pressing issues.