First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu has praised the Chinese government for its contributions to Nigeria’s development, particularly in mining, infrastructure and economic cooperation, during a meeting with Chinese officials in Abuja.

Tinubu made the remarks on Thursday, October 22, when she received Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria Yu Dunhai and his delegation at the State House. She acknowledged China’s longstanding partnership with Nigeria and called for stronger economic cooperation between both countries.

The First Lady also highlighted the role of Chinese investment in Nigeria’s development, citing projects involving the Lekki Deep Sea Port, free trade zones, energy and transportation.

She disclosed that trade between Nigeria and China reached approximately $18 billion in 2025, reflecting the scale of the countries’ economic relationship, according to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

The meeting came amid renewed discussions on expanding cooperation in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector. Chinese President Xi Jinping had outlined a four-point proposal for China-Africa mining cooperation on October 13, emphasising African ownership of natural resources, mutual benefits, local processing and a fair investment environment.

Yu said China was prepared to support Nigeria through technology transfer, local employment and skills development, while urging Chinese companies operating in the country to comply with Nigerian laws.

For Nigeria, the emphasis on local processing presents an opportunity to retain more value from its mineral resources rather than rely primarily on exporting raw materials. However, the extent of the benefits will depend on how proposed investments translate into operational projects, employment and increased domestic processing capacity.

During the meeting, Tinubu reiterated her support for strengthening the relationship between the two countries, while acknowledging China's role in Nigeria's development.