By Cross Udo, Abuja
The Federal Government has reiterated its opposition to using foreign machinery to tackle its security challenges, saying it will not provide an adequate panacea.
It also indicated interest in working with China to domesticate the production of military equipment, which would avoid unnecessary delays in relying on foreign countries to procure such equipment.
This came as the Chinese government expressed delight over Nigeria’s plan to float panda bonds in China through its currency swap policy.
These were disclosed yesterday during a joint press briefing between Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, and his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, at the presidential Villa, Abuja.
China’s Minister of Foreign Affairs was on an official visit to Nigeria.
Speaking at the joint press briefing, Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister Tuggar said private military companies, no matter where they are coming from, are not the solution to tackling the country’s security challenges.
He states, “Nigeria has consistently proved effective in leading other countries in our region, and I would even say on the continent at large, in addressing challenges to peace and security. We do this whenever we partner with other countries and have their support, including significant powers outside of our region and outside of Africa, and we appreciate that sort of approach.
“And this is why we work well with countries like China. We have a problem because it becomes more challenging when Nigeria is left out of such arrangements.
“And it’s not just a one-off thing. It’s not a fluke. It is because of Nigeria’s place and position on the continent and in our region, and that’s why we take a firm stand and say, let us work together towards solving our problems by ourselves. Let us shun this idea of allowing others to solve our problems.
“So private military companies, as far as we are concerned, it doesn’t matter whether they’re from north, south, east, west. It isn’t going to provide the panacea. But when you work with us, we can lead others in solving the problem.
“And also, we want to work with countries like China in domesticating production of military equipment, both kinetic and non-kinetic. This is what we’re looking for so that we don’t have to go out looking to procure because of the delays and so many rules and regulations; we need to be able to produce locally.
“Nigeria is a very responsible country working with the Constitution, and that’s why we’ve never had any expansionist tendencies, which is why others reposed so much confidence in us and our leadership.
“And we will continue to work with countries such as China in addressing these challenges and rely on countries such as China to work with us towards ensuring that private military country companies outside interference remain outside.”
The Minister said Nigeria is a very responsible country working with the Constitution, which was why it has never had any expansionist tendencies, adding that other countries reposed so much confidence in their leadership abilities.
While welcoming the Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tuggar said that the visit was building on the gains of the Forum on China, Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) that took place in 2024 and, importantly, President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to China, which was judged by all to be very successful.
He said the discussion with President Tinubu centred on mutual economic and political interests and the Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) signed in numerous areas, including energy, communications, agriculture, finance, transportation, infrastructure, and petrochemicals.
Also speaking, the Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wang Yi, said the strategic planning of President Xi Jinping and President Tinubu, China-Nigeria, relations have achieved three significant outcomes.
He said, “First, we have achieved a new leap in the characterization of our relations. Our two Presidents jointly announced the elevation of China-Nigeria relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership.
“Second, we have worked together to establish a new platform. The first plenary session of the Intergovernmental Committee between China and Nigeria has been successfully held, contributing to the level of our cooperation.
“Third, our cooperation in the international arena has reached new heights. Our two sides have coordinated closely in international and regional affairs and worked together for the Global South’s collective rise, development, and vitalization.
“Over more than half a century since the establishment of diplomatic ties, no matter how changes occur in the international landscape, China and Nigeria have always, in the spirit of mutual respect and equality, deepened our friendship and pursued practical cooperation, setting a fine example of South-South cooperation, and an important exemplar of China Africa cooperation.”
He said that under the guidance of the two Presidents, the relationship between the two countries would continue to be strategic and exemplary and provide momentum and confidence for the high-quality development of China-Africa cooperation and the modernisation of Africa.
“I believe that through the joint efforts of the two sides, China and Nigeria, a comprehensive strategic partnership will surely embrace an even brighter tomorrow,” he said.
*Chinese govt welcomes Nigeria’s naira swap
Fielding questions on the proposed currency swap agreement with China, the Minister said it showed how well the country has carried out her financial cooperation and sustained its momentum.
He said, “Regarding Nigeria’s wish to increase the currency swap line, we will favourably study and consider the issue. Our cooperation is going well in many ways, in terms of finance.
“For instance, we welcome the issue of panda bonds. We welcome Nigeria’s issue of panda bonds in China because we have complete confidence in Nigeria’s credibility. Nigeria will gain good revenue by issuing panda bonds, and safety is guaranteed through financial support. We are working to contribute to Nigeria’s infrastructure development, mainly the railway.
“Just a few days ago, Chinese banks supported, through financial funds, the building of phase three of the railway modernization project, and it has been delivered. So many details are taking place between our cooperation.”
He explained how China would contribute to safeguarding Africa’s peace and stability: “We all have the issue on the top of our minds. In today’s world, we can only respond to various security challenges together through global solidarity.
“At the FOCAC in Beijing Summit, President Xi Jinping announced six propositions and 10 partnership actions for China and Africa to advance modernization and peace and security jointly, which are an essential part of it.
“China would like to work with Africa to deliver on the global security initiative in Africa, achieve a modernization featuring peace and security, and build an all-weather, China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.
“China will firmly support Africans in addressing African issues in the African way. African people are the real masters of this continent. They have every wisdom, capability, and right to resolve their problems.
“China opposes foreign interference in the internal affairs of African countries. Firmly supports the African Union and the sub-regional organizations in playing a constructive role, supports major African countries in strengthening their leading positions, and promotes the resolution of disagreements and disputes through dialogue and consultation and settling hotspot issues through the political way.
“China will firmly support Africa in strengthening peace and security capacity building. We will work with Africa to establish a partnership for implementing the Global Security Initiative, or GSI, and make it a fine example of GSI cooperation.
“We will work to advance the partnership action for common security, provide 1 billion yuan of grants in military assistance to Africa, and help train 6,000 military personnel and 1,000 police and law enforcement personnel in African countries.
“China will also continue to support the building of the African standby force and the rapid response forces and support African countries in counter-terrorism peacekeeping operations. China will firmly support Africa in safeguarding its legitimate rights and interests, practicing genuine multilateralism, and not letting power politics and bullyism find their place in Africa.
“At the United Nations Security Council, China’s vote will always go to Africa, and we will continue to speak up for the legitimate voice of African countries in the multilateral arena; as the second largest contributor to peacekeeping operations, China will continue to support the United Nations in carrying out peacekeeping operations in Africa.”
He said Nigeria, an important country in Africa and the chair of ECOWAS, plays a vital role in safeguarding peace and stability in Western Africa and the Sahel region.
“China supports Nigeria in rallying countries in the region to achieve strength through unity, to build synergy through reconciliation, and to promote security through cooperation, to achieve peace and stability in the region, and China would like to make its contribution to the best of its ability to that end,” he said.
