Nigeria has received a one million-dollar cash grant from China to help communities devastated by recent flooding, in a gesture both governments described as a reflection of their deepening strategic ties.
At a ceremony in Abuja on Wednesday, Chinese Ambassador Yu Dunhai signed an agreement with Nigeria’s Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning to formalise the assistance. He said Beijing stood in solidarity with Nigerians who had lost loved ones and homes, pointing out that China had also suffered major flooding in recent months.
“Even in Beijing’s suburbs, over 40 lives were lost in July. In times of difficulty, China and Nigeria always stand together,” Yu remarked. He added that the aid demonstrated China’s confidence in Nigeria’s ability to recover, while also pointing to wider progress in bilateral relations, from trade and investment to cultural and technological cooperation.
Nigeria’s planning minister, Senator Atiku Bagudu, said the support was timely, given the scale of damage inflicted on several states. He promised the money would be managed under a transparent framework and complemented by joint monitoring with the Chinese embassy to ensure accountability.
Calling the donation an act of friendship, Bagudu said it would not only help restore livelihoods but also expand avenues of cooperation between the two countries. “This gesture reflects the long-standing relationship between our nations, built on mutual respect and a shared vision for sustainable development,” he said.
