An Overview of Nigeria-China Diplomatic Relations 1971-2007
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Date
2016-06
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Publication of the Faculty of Humanities, Nigeria Police Academy Wudil-Kano
Abstract
Nigeria-China diplomatic relations from 1971-2007 was dynamic, moving from an era of minimal diplomatic exchanges in the 1970s and 1980s, to an era of high diplomatic exchanges which began in the 1990s. This paper gives an overview of Nigeria-China diplomatic relations from 1971-2007. This was done not only for the purpose of bringing to the fore, the diplomatic exchanges between both countries, but also to examine the nature and substance of Nigeria-China diplomatic relations. Primary and Secondary sources were used in carrying out this research. This paper argues that, the great improvement in Nigeria-China relations began in the 1990s when both countries faced international condemnation and isolation as a result of their poor human rights record. However, Nigeria’s transition to civilian rule in 1999 witnessed a rejuvenated Nigeria-China diplomatic relations during which several agreements were reached. The conclusion derived from the available evidence is that, most of the agreements reached were barely implemented, and some of the implemented ones were cancelled due to lack of transparency when President Umar Musa Yar’Adua took over the mantle of leadership from President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2007. This paper suggests that for Nigeria to reap the benefits accrued to her relationship with China, the Nigerian government should desist from entering into shady deals with their Chinese counterparts. It also suggests that, the Nigerian diplomats and government officials should transform their visits to China into an avenue for learning from Chinese development model, and not just to travel for fun fair.
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Keywords
Nigeria-China, Diplomatic Relations