In the golden season of autumn, all things are renewed. China’s National Day and Nigeria’s Independence Day both fall in early October—a historical coincidence that has long become a shared memory between our two peoples. It symbolizes the spiritual resonance between our nations in the common pursuit of national independence, prosperity, and the happiness of our people. Each October, as the red sun meets the green star, the Yangtze and the Niger rivers seem to flow together, weaving a magnificent tapestry of friendship and shared dreams between China and Nigeria.
The year 2025 may be but a fleeting moment in the long river of human history, yet it holds extraordinary significance for the development of China–Nigeria relations, China’s own progress, and the evolution of the global landscape. This year marks the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Over the past seventy-six years, under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China, the Chinese people have relied on self-reliance and hard work to create two great miracles—rapid economic growth and long-term social stability. China has found a path to modernization that is uniquely its own, and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation has entered an irreversible historical process.
Through the transformations of time, China has written a splendid chapter in the story of global development. Over the past half century, the country has lifted more than 800 million people out of poverty, creating a world-renowned “Chinese miracle of poverty reduction” and contributing invaluable experience to global poverty alleviation. In 2024, China’s GDP exceeded 18 trillion US dollars, with per capita income surpassing 13,000 US dollars. For many consecutive years, China has contributed over 30 percent of global economic growth, serving as the primary engine of the world economy. Chinese modernization is not only China’s achievement, but also offers inspiration and a viable path for other developing countries seeking progress and prosperity.
As we embark on a new journey in the new era, China upholds the banner of peace, development, cooperation, and mutual benefit, standing firmly on the right side of history and on the side of human progress. China is ready to work hand in hand with African nations, including Nigeria, to deepen strategic mutual trust, expand mutually beneficial cooperation, and advance joint efforts in industrialization, the digital economy, and green development. Together, we can seize new opportunities and build a brighter shared future. The success of the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) stands as a vivid testament to the enduring China–Nigeria friendship and a living example of our win–win cooperation.
This year also marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. Eighty years ago, the world built the UN from the ruins of war, ushering in a new era of global governance. Eighty years later, China has put forward the Global Governance Initiative, injecting new momentum into the effort to make the international system fairer and more equitable. Centered on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, this initiative follows the vision of extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits, and advocates sovereign equality, the rule of law in international relations, multilateralism, people-centered development, and action-oriented cooperation. Its goal is to ensure that all countries, especially those of the Global South, enjoy greater voice and rights to development in international affairs.
Together with the Global Development, Global Security, and Global Civilization Initiatives, the Global Governance Initiative forms the four pillars supporting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. These initiatives respond to the common aspiration for fairness and justice shared by the international community—especially developing nations. Nigeria has recently expressed clear support for China’s Global Governance Initiative, noting that its vision aligns closely with Nigeria’s national development strategies and the African Union’s Agenda 2063. China highly appreciates this support and stands ready to work with Nigeria to deepen cooperation within multilateral frameworks such as the United Nations and the African Union, jointly promoting reform of the international financial architecture and the UN Security Council, to make global governance more inclusive, just, and effective.
At this moment, the spotlight of history shines brightly on the Global South—on a rising China and on a promising Nigeria. Two great nations, each carrying its own mission of national rejuvenation, also share a common responsibility to advance world peace and development. Let us move forward together, side by side, to write an even more glorious chapter in China–Nigeria friendship and to build a brighter future for our shared community of humankind.
