By Mercy Peter
Nigeria on Sunday marked nine years of reaffirming its firm commitment to the One China Policy, a pivotal foreign policy stance that has continued to shape the country’s diplomatic, economic and strategic engagement with the People’s Republic of China.
The milestone recalls Nigeria’s 2017 decision to correct what was widely regarded as a diplomatic misstep by directing Taiwan to relocate its unofficial office from Abuja to Lagos.
The move, taken during the administration of the late President Muhammadu Buhari, underscored Nigeria’s recognition of the People’s Republic of China as the sole legitimate government of China, with Taiwan acknowledged as an inalienable part of its territory.
That decision was further consolidated with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the One China Policy in 2017 by Nigeria’s former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, and China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, a development widely seen as a turning point in Nigeria–China relations.
Nine years on, the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration has continued to uphold the policy, reinforcing Nigeria’s alignment with international law and its respect for China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Government officials say the consistency of Nigeria’s position reflects both principle and pragmatism, anchored on long-term national interests and strategic partnership.
Nigeria’s position remains unequivocal: there is only one China in the world; the government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China; and Taiwan is an inseparable part of China’s territory.
This stance was emphatically restated during President Tinubu’s State Visit to China on September 3, 2024, undertaken at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, and coinciding with the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
At the end of the visit, both leaders issued a Joint Statement on Establishing a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and Building a High-Level China–Nigeria Community with a Shared Future.
The statement noted that China and Nigeria stood at a new historical starting point as major developing countries and emerging economies, and pledged to strengthen strategic cooperation to inject new momentum into China–Africa relations and advance the collective interests of the Global South.
President Xi expressed China’s support for Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Agenda, commending the Tinubu administration’s efforts to maintain national unity, peace, security and social stability, while pursuing economic development and improved welfare for citizens.
In response, President Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s unwavering adherence to the One China principle, declaring that Nigeria opposes any form of “Taiwan independence” and rejects interference in China’s internal affairs.
He also expressed Nigeria’s firm support for all efforts by the Chinese government aimed at achieving national reunification.
China’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, has repeatedly praised Nigeria for strictly abiding by the One China Policy, citing the joint statement issued by Presidents Tinubu and Xi.
He described the Taiwan issue as a “core interest” and “red line” for China, urging media practitioners and members of the public to exercise caution in language or actions that could be interpreted as recognizing Taiwan as a separate country.
The ambassador further advised Nigerians against engaging with Taiwan’s unofficial representative office in Lagos, alleging that the office has promoted narratives supportive of Taiwan independence, and warned against providing it any platform.
The Tinubu administration has also been commended by policy analysts for ensuring that no Nigerian government official patronizes the Taiwan Trade Mission, while downplaying rhetoric viewed as inconsistent with Nigeria’s long-established foreign policy position.
Observers note that Nigeria’s adherence to the One China Policy has delivered tangible dividends. China is currently Nigeria’s largest trading partner, with bilateral trade exceeding $20 billion in 2024 and surpassing $20 billion in the first three quarters of 2025 alone, representing a 32.56 per cent year-on-year increase.
Chinese investments have been instrumental in major infrastructure projects across Nigeria, including the Abuja–Kaduna Railway, the Lekki Free Trade Zone, the Zungeru Hydropower Dam, the Port Harcourt–Makurdi Railway, and the Lagos–Kano Railway, collectively valued at several billions of dollars.
China has also played key roles in Nigeria’s energy, agriculture, security, telecommunications and manufacturing sectors, contributing to job creation, technology transfer and capacity building.
Director of the Centre for China Studies, Charles Onunaiju, described Nigeria’s commitment to the One China Policy as “sacrosanct,” arguing that it provides a stable foundation for deeper cooperation and a more ambitious future for both countries.
Similarly, Prof. Sherriff Ibrahim Ghali, Provost of the Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria and Head of Contemporary China–Africa Research in Nigeria, said Nigeria’s position on the One China Policy is critical to sustaining the comprehensive strategic partnership.
He highlighted Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to Nigeria in January 2025 as a defining moment that elevated bilateral ties, strengthened intergovernmental cooperation, and enhanced coordination on regional and global issues affecting the Global South.
As Nigeria and China prepare to celebrate 55 years of diplomatic relations on February 10, 2026, analysts say the enduring strength of the partnership underscores the strategic importance of Nigeria’s consistent foreign policy posture.
