The Nigerian Navy has said it is willing to work with China to tackle maritime security threats and maintain stability.
This expression follows the arrival of Chinese military ships in the country, on a rare visit.
The arrival of the fleet – which is led by a destroyer – comes six months after a new billion-dollar deep sea – a Chinese built port, was opened in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial hub.
China, a growing influence in Africa, retained a majority shareholding in the company that runs the facility, with this visit testament to that.
Nigeria is a major oil supplier to China.
In a statement, China’s ambassador in Nigeria Cui Jianchun described the event as a major move in China-Nigeria relations saying it “demonstrates the high degree of political mutual trust between the two countries which will have a profound impact on development”.
The Nigerian navy led by Rear Admiral JD Akpan expressed “willingness to work with China to tackle maritime security threats and maintain stability in the Gulf of Guinea”.
Last year US defence officials expressed concern that America’s national security could be under threat if China sets up a military base on the West African coastline.
In 2017, China opened its first overseas naval base in Djibouti on the East African coast.