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Rite Foods Reaffirms Commitment to Ojude Oba Festival, Cultural Preservation in Ijebu-land

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Rite Foods Reaffirms Commitment to Ojude Oba Festival, Cultural Preservation in Ijebu-land

Rite Foods Limited has reaffirmed its commitment to preserving culture and supporting community development through its continued partnership with the annual Ojude Oba Festival in Ijebu-land, Ogun State.

The company said its support for the festival reflects its appreciation of the remarkable leadership, enduring legacy, and immense contributions of the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, to the cultural and socio-economic development of Ijebu-land and Nigeria.

As a proudly Nigerian and globally competitive company with deep operational roots in Ijebu-land through its facility in Ososa, Rite Foods noted that its involvement goes beyond business interests, emphasising its commitment to growing alongside host communities while preserving their heritage, traditions, and values.

Speaking at a press conference announcing activities for the festival, Brand Manager for Fearless Energy Drink, Olaniyi Aderuku, said the company’s connection with Ijebu-land remains deeply rooted in shared identity and community values.

“At Rite Foods, we believe our role extends beyond operating within a community. We must grow with the people, celebrate their identity, and contribute meaningfully to preserving their heritage,” he said.

Aderuku explained that the partnership between Fearless Energy Drink and the Ojude Oba Festival aligns with the brand’s core values of courage, ambition, self-expression, and confidence.

“As Nigeria’s number one energy drink, Fearless has always stood for courage, self-expression, ambition, and the confidence to push boundaries. That is why our association with Ojude Oba feels authentic to us. The festival itself embodies fearlessness through its rich culture, fashion, horsemanship, creativity, and the pride of a people who continue to preserve their heritage while embracing the future,” he added.

According to him, Rite Foods has consistently supported the festival over the years by creating engaging experiences for consumers through its range of products and activations.

He disclosed that guests at this year’s edition would enjoy products including Bigi Carbonated Soft Drinks, Bigi Premium Drinking Water, Sosa Fruit Drink, Fearless Energy Drink, and the company’s sausage brands such as Bigi Flex, Rite Spicy, and Bigi Beef Sausages.

Aderuku also reiterated the company’s broader investment in community growth and cultural preservation.

“We are not only investing in world-class facilities and technology; we are equally investing in people, culture, and community. As a proudly Nigerian company, we remain deeply connected to our roots and proud of our strong ties to Ijebu-land,” he stated.

Earlier, Coordinator of the Ojude Oba Festival Organising Committee, Prof. Fassy Yusuf, described the festival as a symbol of religious harmony, peaceful coexistence, and communal unity among the Ijebu people.

He said this year’s celebration would also honour the legacy of Oba Adetona, whose reign has significantly shaped the history and development of Ijebu-land.

Prof. Yusuf unveiled the official festival logo and highlighted major attractions lined up for the celebration, including the colourful parade of the regberegbe age-grade groups, a long-standing institution that promotes communal development and cultural preservation.

The festival will also feature the traditional equestrian parade by 25 distinguished families of warlords and warrior lineages recognised for their historic role in defending the Ijebu kingdom before colonial rule.

Also speaking, Ogun State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon. Oluwasesan Fagbayi, who represented Governor Dapo Abiodun, described Ojude Oba as more than a cultural festival.

According to him, the event has evolved into a major platform for tourism promotion, economic growth, social inclusion, and cultural pride in Ogun State and Nigeria as a whole.

He added that the state government remains committed to creating an enabling environment for the continued success and global recognition of the festival.

Adewale Adedeji Wins APC Primary for Ifako-Ijaiye Constituency 01 Ahead of 2027 Polls

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Adewale Adedeji Wins APC Primary for Ifako-Ijaiye Constituency 01 Ahead of 2027 Polls

Hon. Adewale Temitope Adedeji, OON, has emerged winner of the All Progressives Congress, APC primary election for the Ifako-Ijaiye Constituency 01 seat in the Lagos State House of Assembly ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The primary election was conducted peacefully on Wednesday across the seven political wards in Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government Area of Lagos State.

According to the official results announced by state electoral officers in the presence of officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the incumbent lawmaker representing Ifako-Ijaiye 01 secured 19,111 votes to clinch the party’s ticket.

Other contestants recorded significantly lower votes, with Temitope Akinyemi polling 73 votes, Quadri Lawal securing 295 votes, Afolabi Ajiboye garnering 165 votes, while Adewale Lateef received 33 votes.

Following the announcement of the results, Adedeji expressed gratitude to APC members and delegates across the constituency for the overwhelming support and confidence reposed in him.

The lawmaker assured party faithful and residents that he would continue to prioritise the welfare and interests of the people through effective representation and grassroots engagement.

He also urged party members to remain united and committed as the APC prepares for the 2027 general elections, stressing the importance of cohesion and collective effort in sustaining the party’s dominance in the state.

The victory positions Adedeji to seek another term in the Lagos State House of Assembly under the platform of the APC.

The City Beneath: A Spirit Re-Memory Opens at National Museum of Unity, Ibadan

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The City Beneath: A Spirit Re-Memory Opens at National Museum of Unity, Ibadan

The courtyard of the National Museum of Unity was on Wednesday transformed into a living, immersive night market as The City Beneath: A Spirit Re-Memory brings together performance, sculpture, painting, sound, and augmented reality in a bold reimagining of how audiences experience cultural history and memory within museum spaces.

Designed as a multimodal installation, The City Beneath challenges the conventional idea of museums as quiet repositories where artifacts remain sealed behind glass and disconnected from the communities, rituals, and spiritual worlds they once belonged to.

Instead, the exhibition turns the museum courtyard into an active cultural environment where memory, myth, commerce, ritual, and performance intersect.

Drawing inspiration from the traditional West African night market, the installation presents the market as more than a commercial space. Within the exhibition, the night market becomes a symbolic meeting point between the visible and invisible worlds, a place where spirituality, storytelling, folklore, and communal memory coexist.

At the centre of the installation stands the “Market Tree,” envisioned as a bridge between worlds. Around it, visitors encounter layered market structures, shrines, soundscapes, and cultural objects designed to create an immersive sensory experience.

Adding a theatrical dimension to the exhibition, ten performers from the University of Ibadan descended from the museum rooftop, embodying celestial beings arriving to inhabit the market below. Their performances transform the courtyard into what the curators describe as a “living archive,” inviting audiences not only to observe but also to move through and participate within the space.

Among the featured artists, Neec Nonso presented an immersive installation exploring reincarnation and spiritual existence through nested installations hidden within enamel bowls filled with water. Using augmented reality technology, viewers activated digital narratives and images through reflective surfaces, revealing aquatic deities and unseen spiritual dimensions associated with indigenous cosmologies and night market traditions.

Bolaji Mofeyiseke examined the relationship between technology and cultural memory, using augmented reality to breathe new life into heritage objects and musical artifacts. His work explored how digital storytelling can revive nostalgia, forgotten histories, and communal experiences within contemporary museum spaces.

Meanwhile, Dikachi Ugwu worked with jute bags, materials historically tied to trade and market movement, to retell an indigenous folktale about a hunter and an antelope who transforms into a woman to become his wife. Through the narrative, themes of transformation between human, animal, and spiritual worlds are woven into the physical language of the marketplace.

The exhibition also foregrounded performance as an integral storytelling medium. Featured performers include Victoria Akpabio-Christopher, Oriade Dunamis, Awoyemi Ebenezer, Marvellous Raheem, Gift Emmanuel, Esther Oboh, Esther Olarewaju, Lekan Ogunsuada, Mfonobong Awah, and Iniobong Awah..

First HoldCo Leadership Visits Dangote Refinery as Otedola Seeks $100m Stake in Planned IPO

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First HoldCo Leadership Visits Dangote Refinery as Otedola Seeks $100m Stake in Planned IPO

Chairman of FirstHoldCo, Femi Otedola, has disclosed plans to invest $100 million in the proposed initial public offering, IPO of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals, describing the project as a transformative industrial platform capable of reshaping Africa’s economic future.

Otedola made the disclosure during a visit by the boards and management teams of FirstHoldCo and FirstBank to the 650,000 barrels-per-day refinery and Dangote Fertiliser Limited in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos.

According to him, he divested his stake in Geregu Power Plc specifically to position himself for participation in the refinery’s public listing, which he said represents one of Africa’s most strategic industrial investments.

“He is a genius and one of the greatest men to emerge from Africa. What he has achieved is helping to liberate the continent from economic dependency and import reliance,” Otedola said while commending President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote.

“I have visited this refinery more than 25 times, and I have consistently appealed for $100 million worth of shares during the private placement. That informed my decision to sell my stake in Geregu so I can reinvest in the Dangote Petroleum Refinery,” he added.

Otedola also expressed confidence in the refinery’s planned expansion to 1.4 million barrels per day, noting that Africa’s growing demand for refined petroleum products supports sustained investment in domestic refining infrastructure.

Responding, Dangote assured that the refinery’s IPO would be structured to allow ordinary Nigerians and Africans participate as shareholders in the project.

“We want ordinary Africans to participate in the value being created,” Dangote said. “What companies like Amazon and Apple achieved globally in terms of wealth creation is what we seek to replicate in Africa. We want people to invest, grow with us, and share in the prosperity.”

He further disclosed that the Group is considering the development of a 700,000 barrels-per-day refinery in East Africa alongside polypropylene and base oil production facilities, with construction potentially commencing within the next three to four years.

According to Dangote, the new expansion plans were not originally captured in the Group’s Vision 2030 strategy, underscoring the company’s accelerating growth trajectory.

Chief Executive Officer of FirstBank Group, Olusegun Alebiosu, described the refinery as a symbol of industrial ambition capable of inspiring similar large-scale investments across the continent.

“If you see this refinery and realise that an individual conceived and delivered a project of this magnitude, already helping to stabilise energy supply across Africa, you cannot help but be inspired,” Alebiosu said.

“We have delegates here from the United Kingdom and several African countries who will return home with renewed commitment to building industries that can transform their economies. It is about building Africa together,” he added.

Dangote also highlighted the Group’s expansion across Africa, noting that its cement operations now span 11 African countries with total production capacity reaching 55 million tonnes annually. He added that the company has also invested significantly in clinker export terminals to deepen regional trade.

“We have built businesses that address Africa’s critical needs and create long-term value for the continent,” Dangote stated. “Africa must stop exporting raw materials and importing finished goods. That amounts to exporting jobs and importing poverty.”

He further revealed that investor demand for the refinery’s private placement has already exceeded $2 billion, reflecting strong confidence in the project and Africa’s industrial future.

“There is significant interest in both the IPO and the private placement,” Dangote said. “While we are not able to meet all requests, the strong demand reflects investors’ confidence in the refinery and in Africa’s industrial future.”

LSSTF Pushes Stronger Inter-Agency Collaboration as Ogunsan Advocates Professional Security Operations

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LSSTF Pushes Stronger Inter-Agency Collaboration as Ogunsan Advocates Professional Security Operations

The Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund, LSSTF, Ayodele Ogunsan, has called for stronger institutional collaboration, ethical professionalism and continuous retraining among security personnel to effectively tackle emerging security threats across Nigeria.

Ogunsan made the call during the third edition of the LSSTF Statewide Inter-Agency Training Programme for Security Operatives held in Lagos between May 20 and 21, 2026.

The two-day training programme, themed “Enhancing Professional Capacity, Ethical Standards and Inter-Agency Collaboration for Effective Security Operations,” brought together senior officers, security operatives, policymakers and experts from various security and emergency agencies across Lagos State.

According to LSSTF, the initiative is expected to train more than 1,000 personnel drawn from security and safety agencies between March and December 2026 as part of efforts to strengthen operational readiness and improve public trust in security institutions.

The programme focused on evolving security threats, including kidnappings, urban crime, public distrust and the increasing need for intelligence-driven and people-oriented policing.

Dr. Ogunsan who was represented at the opening ceremony by LSSTF Director of Administration, Adegbola Lewis, said modern security realities demand coordinated operational planning, intelligence sharing and stronger collaboration among agencies.

“Security is no longer the responsibility of any single agency acting in isolation. Modern security threats are dynamic, interconnected and require coordinated responses that transcend institutional boundaries,” he said.

Ogunsan explained that the training programme was designed to improve professionalism, ethical conduct and inter-agency cooperation, while also strengthening officers’ emotional intelligence and public engagement skills.

He added that modules on financial literacy and medical wellness were incorporated into the training to improve the overall wellbeing of personnel.

Among dignitaries at the event were the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Fatai Tijani, represented by ACP Oluwatoyin Kazeem; Commander of NNS Beecroft, Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, represented by Commander Oka Bassey Otu; Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Abimbola Adeseye, represented by Amodu Shakiru; and the Corps Marshal of Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps, Olaniyi Olatunbosun Cole.

Speaking during the event, Major Olaniyi Olatunbosun Cole (Rtd.) praised the LSSTF leadership for sustaining support for security agencies across Lagos.

“What you have built here is more than an institution; it is a lifeline for the safety architecture of Lagos State,” he stated.

He noted that environmental challenges, illegal settlements and urban disorder often contribute to insecurity, stressing that public wellbeing and security are closely linked.

Representing the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, ACP Oluwatoyin Kazeem urged participants to maximise the opportunity to improve their professional competence and strengthen collaboration among agencies.

One of the keynote facilitators, Oka Martin Obono, spoke on emotional intelligence and financial management, warning that many confrontations involving security personnel stem from poor emotional regulation and inadequate capacity development.

“You are with a gun, you are already extremely powerful, but they’ve not been exposed to emotional management, empathy, self-awareness and social skills,” he said.

Professor Obono also encouraged officers to embrace long-term financial planning and integrity through what he described as the “Life Project Approach.”

Also speaking, the General Manager of Globus Training and Advisory Limited, Desmond Nnebue, said previous editions of the programme had recorded measurable improvements in emotional intelligence, ethical professionalism and public diplomacy among participants.

“We want inter-agency collaboration so that agencies no longer see themselves as rivals on the field,” he said.

On the health and wellness segment, Executive Director and Deputy Director of Clinical Services at Anantis Pediatric and Multispecialist Hospital, Diya Alade Oluwadamola, urged security personnel to prioritise their physical and mental wellbeing.

She encouraged officers to embrace routine medical checks, stress management, exercise and healthier lifestyles to improve both personal wellbeing and operational effectiveness.

The training programme reinforced the growing importance of professionalism, emotional intelligence, ethical conduct and institutional collaboration in modern security operations across Lagos State.

WAEC Committee Reaffirms Confidence in Nigeria Office Leadership Amid Union Engagements

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WAEC Assures Stakeholders of Seamless Conduct of 2026 WASSCE Despite Workers’ Protest

The Administrative and Finance Committee of the West African Examinations Council, WAEC has reaffirmed its confidence in the leadership of the Council’s Nigeria National Office under the Head of National Office, Amos Josiah Dangut, following its 240th meeting held in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The Committee, described as WAEC’s highest advisory body on administrative and financial matters in Nigeria, commended Dr. Dangut and the management team for what it termed exemplary leadership, operational efficiency and institutional discipline.

According to the Committee, the leadership demonstrated strong administrative capacity in ensuring the smooth and uninterrupted conduct of the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for School Candidates, 2026, despite recent union-related concerns.

Following a review of the operations of the Nigeria National Office, the Committee stated that management’s approach to administrative responsibilities and staff engagement reflected professionalism, strategic focus and commitment to the Council’s core values.

The Committee subsequently passed a formal vote of confidence on Dr. Dangut and his management team, reaffirming its support for the leadership and expressing confidence in its ability to continue advancing the Council’s mandate effectively.

It also cautioned against actions capable of undermining the reputation and institutional integrity of WAEC.

The Committee further assured candidates, parents, ministries of education and other stakeholders that the Council’s operations across the country remain stable and on course.

It also reiterated WAEC’s commitment to transparency, staff welfare and maintaining a peaceful working environment.

CP Ojajuni Hosts Nigeria Police Shooting Association, Advocates Continuous Training

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CP Ojajuni reaffirmed the Ogun State Police Command’s commitment to supporting programmes and initiatives that promote professionalism, institutional development and capacity enhancement within the Nigeria Police Force.

The Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, Bode Ojajuni, has reiterated the importance of professionalism, discipline and continuous training within the Nigeria Police Force.

He stated this during a courtesy visit by members of the Nigeria Police Shooting Association at the Command Headquarters, Eleweran, Abeokuta.

The delegation was led by the Vice Chairman of the Association, Theresa Ogboi, alongside the Staff Officer Senior, Ogun State Command, Anderson Rabiat.

The visit was aimed at congratulating the Commissioner of Police on his recent posting to Ogun State and reaffirming the Association’s support for his leadership.

Speaking during the visit, SP Theresa Ogboi described CP Ojajuni as a strong advocate of shooting sports within the Force, recalling his contributions to the Association during his service in the Lagos State Police Command, where he previously served as Second Vice Chairman, Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Association.

According to her, his leadership and commitment played a significant role in advancing shooting sports and promoting operational excellence within the Nigeria Police Force.

The delegation also commended the Commissioner for his professionalism, dedication to service and continued support for initiatives focused on personnel development and institutional growth.

In his response, CP Ojajuni appreciated the delegation for the visit and praised the Association’s role in promoting discipline, professionalism and capacity building among officers.

He noted that shooting sports contribute significantly to enhancing concentration, mental alertness, discipline, precision and accuracy, qualities he described as essential for effective policing and tactical operations.

The Commissioner encouraged officers to embrace continuous training and active participation in shooting sports, stressing that regular practice would further strengthen operational competence, confidence and professionalism within the Force.

CP Ojajuni reaffirmed the Ogun State Police Command’s commitment to supporting programmes and initiatives that promote professionalism, institutional development and capacity enhancement within the Nigeria Police Force.

Also speaking during the engagement were the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Department of Operations, Bolanle Muritala; the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Department of Administration, Ibrahim Abdul; and the Deputy Commissioner of Police, State Criminal Investigation Department, Gbenga Adeoye.

The senior officers commended the Association for its contributions to capacity building and professionalism within the Force, while also emphasising the importance of discipline, training and skill development in improving policing standards and operational effectiveness.

CAPPA Spotlights Links Between Sugary Drinks, Non Communicable Diseases with ‘Sweet Poison’ Documentary

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CAPPA Spotlights Links Between Sugary Drinks, Non Communicable Diseases with ‘Sweet Poison’ Documentary
L-R: Diabetes “Lived experience expert” Ronke Opaleye; Executive Director of Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) Akinbode Oluwafemi; Lagos Chairman, Nigeria Medical Association Dr. Saheed Balogun; Founder of the Diabetes & Limb Salvage Foundation (DLSF) Ms. Osarenkhoe Chima-Nwogwugwu; and the CEO of Stradev Nigeria, Dr. Leslie Adogame at the screening of CAPPA’s latest documentary “Sweet Poison” in Lagos on Wednesday, 20 May 2026.

Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, CAPPA has premiered a new documentary titled Sweet Poison, highlighting the health and environmental dangers associated with the growing consumption of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages, SSBs in Nigeria.

The 20-minute documentary was unveiled during a media presentation in Lagos on Wednesday, with CAPPA describing the film as an exploration of how ultra-processed food and beverage companies have embedded sugary drinks into everyday Nigerian life through aggressive marketing and extensive market penetration.

According to the organisation, the documentary examines the increasing prevalence of diet-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as Type 2 Diabetes, hypertension, obesity and cardiovascular disease, which it links to excessive sugary drink consumption.

CAPPA stated that the film combines expert analysis, personal experiences and visual storytelling to expose both the public health and environmental consequences of sugary beverage consumption.

The documentary features interviews and perspectives from policymakers, medical professionals, traders, fishermen, students and individuals living with non-communicable diseases, while also examining issues such as plastic pollution and the environmental impact of beverage production processes.

Speaking after the premiere, CAPPA Executive Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi, said the documentary was designed to connect public health evidence with lived realities across Nigerian communities.

“Sweet Poison is an attempt to connect the dots. It combines medical evidence, lived experiences and on-the-ground realities to show how growing dependence on sugary drinks is quietly reshaping the nation’s health profile,” he said.

Oluwafemi said the documentary also highlights CAPPA’s advocacy efforts aimed at increasing youth participation in policy engagement at national and sub-national levels.

According to him, the major focus of the film is Nigeria’s current Sugar-Sweetened Beverage tax policy introduced under the Finance Act 2021, which imposed a N10 per litre excise tax on sweetened and carbonated non-alcoholic drinks.

The CAPPA boss argued that the current tax structure has not significantly altered consumer behaviour or effectively addressed harmful industry practices.

He called for a revised framework, proposing a 50 percent excise tax on the final retail price of SSB products, or at least a minimum of 20 percent, alongside dedicated allocation of tax revenues to healthcare and public health interventions.

“With the burden of non-communicable diseases rising and healthcare costs climbing, Nigeria cannot afford half-measures. A stronger SSB tax is a fiscal tool, and a necessary public health intervention,” Oluwafemi added.

Among guests present at the screening were Saheed Babajide, diabetes advocate Ronke Opaleye, Founder of the Diabetes & Limb Salvage Foundation, Osarenkhoe Chima-Nwogwugwu, Chief Executive Officer of Stradev Nigeria, Leslie Adogame, and publisher of Nigeria Health Online, Sam Eferaro.

The documentary premiered on TVC News on May 5, 2026, and is currently airing across multiple media platforms nationwide.

Viewers can also watch the documentary on CAPPA’s official YouTube channel and across the organisation’s social media platforms.

LAGFERRY Hosts Michael Jackson Movie Screening Aboard Adimu Orisha Barge

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LAGFERRY Hosts Michael Jackson Movie Screening Aboard Adimu Orisha Barge

Lagos State Ferry Services, LAGFERRY has hosted an exclusive movie viewing experience aboard the iconic Adimu Orisha Barge on the Lagos waterways as part of efforts to promote tourism, entertainment and water transportation in the State.

The event, organised in collaboration with Wave Media and Nile Group under the theme “Cinema and Cruise,” featured the screening of Michael, a movie based on the life and career of legendary American pop icon Michael Jackson.

Speaking during the event, Managing Director of LAGFERRY, Ladi Balogun, said the agency remains committed to introducing innovative programmes aimed at increasing public engagement and confidence in water transportation while promoting tourism and lifestyle activities across the state.

“The movie viewing experience aboard the Adimu Orisha Barge reflects our agency’s vision of redefining commuting and leisure through safe, enjoyable, and customer-focused water transportation services. There’s absolutely no social events you can do on the land that you can’t do on the waterways,” he said.

Balogun also reaffirmed the commitment of the Lagos State Government to improving safety on the waterways and expanding the state’s transportation infrastructure through sustainable and innovative water transport initiatives.

The event attracted movie lovers, entertainment enthusiasts, stakeholders, passengers and water transportation advocates, who gathered for an evening that blended cinema, music, leisure and scenic views of the Lagos coastline.

Set against the backdrop of Lagos waterways, the initiative highlighted the growing role of water transportation not only as a mobility solution but also as a platform for recreation, tourism and social experiences.

Nigeria Reaffirms One-China Principle, Seeks Deeper Strategic Partnership

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Nigeria Reaffirms One-China Principle, Seeks Deeper Strategic Partnership

The Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership, NCSP has reaffirmed Nigeria’s longstanding commitment to the One-China Principle, describing the relationship between both countries as one built on mutual respect, trust and shared strategic interests.

In a statement, the NCSP said recent global diplomatic engagements involving the United States and China once again highlighted Beijing’s unwavering position on the One-China Principle and its expectation that partner nations maintain clear and consistent positions on issues of sovereignty and territorial integrity.

According to the partnership office, China’s position that the People’s Republic of China remains the sole legitimate Chinese government, with Taiwan regarded as an inalienable part of its territory, has remained central to Beijing’s foreign policy engagement over the decades.

The NCSP noted that Nigeria has maintained a principled and consistent adherence to the One-China Principle since diplomatic relations were established between both countries in 1971.

It stated that Nigeria’s position aligns with its broader foreign policy philosophy anchored on respect for sovereignty, non-interference in the internal affairs of nations and support for the right of countries to determine their own developmental paths.

The statement recalled that the position was further reinforced during the 2024 meeting between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, where Nigeria reaffirmed recognition of the Government of the People’s Republic of China as the sole legal government representing the whole of China and expressed support for China’s pursuit of national reunification.

According to the NCSP, the position reflects a strategic and institutional consensus within Nigeria rather than the policy of a single administration.

The office also referenced remarks by Jafar Yakubu, who recently reiterated that Nigeria’s commitment to the One-China Principle remains firmly rooted in international law and existing bilateral agreements.

The partnership office described Nigeria’s consistency on the issue as a strategic asset that has helped deepen political trust between both countries over more than five decades of diplomatic relations.

It noted that the current focus of the NCSP is to translate that political trust into expanded economic cooperation through increased manufacturing investment, technology transfer, industrialisation and export-oriented production capable of supporting Nigeria’s economic growth ambitions.

The statement acknowledged China’s role in supporting infrastructure development in Nigeria, including railway projects, port development, energy infrastructure, telecommunications and industrial capacity expansion.

However, it stressed that future cooperation should move beyond infrastructure financing toward broader industrial and economic transformation.

According to the NCSP, sectors such as the digital economy, solid minerals, agro-processing and manufacturing offer significant opportunities for deeper collaboration between both countries.

The office added that it remains committed to strengthening bilateral cooperation across trade, investment, technology transfer, infrastructure and capacity building in line with Nigeria’s national development priorities and economic transformation agenda.

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