The federal government has reiterated that Nigeria does not require foreign mercenaries to tackle the insecurity plaguing the country.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, made this assertion at the State House, Abuja, during a joint press briefing with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, who was on an official visit to Nigeria.
Tuggar emphasised that Nigeria had consistently proven its capability in leading efforts to address security challenges, not only within the country but also across the continent.
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“We do this whenever we partner with other countries and receive their support, including major powers outside our region, outside of Africa. We appreciate this kind of collaboration,” Tuggar said.
However, he stressed that Nigeria faced challenges when it was excluded from such arrangements. “When Nigeria is left out of these arrangements, it becomes more difficult,” he added. “This is not a one-off issue. It’s because of Nigeria’s strategic position on the continent and within our region. That is why we firmly believe that we should solve our problems ourselves, rather than allow others to come in and do it for us.”
Tuggar went on to reaffirm Nigeria’s commitment to maintaining its sovereignty and leadership in addressing its security concerns. “Nigeria is a responsible nation, governed by its constitution. We have never had expansionist intentions, which is why other nations place such trust in our leadership. We will continue to work with countries like China to confront these challenges and ensure that foreign private military companies do not interfere,” he said.
The Minister highlighted that the visit of the Chinese delegation was building on the achievements of the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and the state visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to China.
Chinese Minister Wang Yi remarked on the success of the strategic planning between President Xi Jinping and President Tinubu. “We have achieved a new milestone in the relationship between our two countries. Our Presidents have jointly elevated China-Nigeria relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership,” Wang Yi said.
He further added that the establishment of the first plenary session of the Intergovernmental Committee between the two countries marked a significant step towards deepening cooperation.
“Our collaboration in the international sphere has also reached new heights,” he said. “We have closely coordinated on international and regional issues, working together for the collective advancement of the Global South.”
Reflecting on the enduring relationship between China and Nigeria, Wang Yi praised their deepened friendship, stating, “For more than half a century since the establishment of diplomatic ties, regardless of changes in the global landscape, China and Nigeria have maintained mutual respect, strengthened cooperation, and set an exemplary model for South-South cooperation and China-Africa relations.”
