The Federal Government has lauded the People’s Republic of China for its continued support in strengthening Nigeria’s defence capabilities, particularly through strategic cooperation with the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
The commendation was made on Wednesday by the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, during a reception held in Abuja to mark the 98th anniversary of the founding of the PLA.
Speaking on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, Matawalle expressed Nigeria’s appreciation for China’s unwavering commitment to the country’s security development. He praised the long-standing bilateral relationship between Nigeria and China, especially in the areas of military training, technology transfer, and the provision of critical defence hardware.
“This anniversary is not only a celebration of the PLA’s enduring strength and evolution but also a reflection of China’s remarkable journey in safeguarding national sovereignty, promoting global peace, and supporting international development,” he said.
The Minister described the relationship between the Armed Forces of Nigeria and the PLA as a partnership grounded in mutual respect, non-interference, and a shared commitment to regional stability. He highlighted China’s contributions to Nigeria’s defence sector, citing the support received in the areas of counterterrorism, maritime security, peacekeeping operations, and personnel capacity building.
“In recent years, China has played a significant role in addressing our national security challenges. The PLA has proven to be a reliable partner in our journey to build a more robust and agile military force,” he stated.
Matawalle emphasized that the defence collaboration between both nations aligns with Nigeria’s current defence transformation efforts under the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at overhauling and modernizing national security architecture.
The minister applauded the PLA’s international role in peacekeeping and humanitarian missions, particularly through frameworks such as the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and the Belt and Road Initiative.
“Today’s global security landscape is increasingly complex and interconnected. In such a world, partnerships built on trust and shared values such as ours with China are essential for confronting both conventional and emerging threats,” he added.
Matawalle congratulated the Chinese government and the PLA on their 98th anniversary and reiterated Nigeria’s readiness to deepen defence cooperation with China in the spirit of mutual advancement and global peace.
Earlier in his remarks, Ouyang Haisheng, Defense Attaché of the Chinese Embassy highlighted the PLA’s significant role in global peacekeeping, noting that China is the largest troop contributor among the P5 nations and the second-largest financial contributor to UN peacekeeping missions.
“We are making greater contributions to the people of the world through practical actions,” he said.
Addressing contemporary global challenges, Ouyang referenced Chinese President Xi Jinping’s Global Security Initiative, which promotes dialogue, partnership, and win-win outcomes over confrontation and zero-sum approaches.
The event was attended by ambassadors, defence attachés, military officials, and representatives from diplomatic missions.
