Nigeria’s Ambassador-Designate to China, Amb Abdulrahman Dambazau, has stated that Nigeria’s relations with Beijing and other global powers will remain firmly guided by national interest and strategic cooperation.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Abuja, Amb Dambazau explained that his diplomatic mission to China would focus on maximising benefits for Nigeria through enhanced economic, diplomatic and strategic engagement.
He added that safeguarding the welfare of Nigerian citizens residing in China and advancing the Federal Government’s ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ would be central to his responsibilities.
The Ambassador-Designate noted that the escalating interest in Nigeria from major world powers—including China, the United States, Russia and the United Kingdom—underscores the nation’s rising strategic importance on the world stage. He emphasised that Nigeria must remain committed to protecting its sovereignty whilst forging partnerships that align with its domestic development and security goals.
“We are in a multipolar world today where countries like China, Russia, and the U.S. all have interests.
“It is also an issue of globalisation where countries are trying to protect their interests, but as far as I am concerned, my focus is China,” he said.
Amb Dambazau observed that balancing relations between competing global superpowers is a delicate task requiring careful coordination by the Federal Government and relevant institutions. He maintained that Nigeria’s historical, non-aligned foreign policy remains highly relevant when navigating modern geopolitical dynamics.
“We have our interests to protect. Certainly, we are not rivals with any country.
“So, national interest comes first. If our interests coincide with the interests of any country, then we can partner,” he said.
Turning to domestic challenges, the Ambassador-Designate identified insecurity as a primary hurdle, warning that the issue carries broader regional consequences that necessitate robust international cooperation.
“We have issues of insecurity in Nigeria, and this insecurity is not just a Nigerian problem; it is a regional problem.
“We need to partner with our neighbours and strategic partners to tackle it,” he said.
His comments come at a time of intensifying rivalry between the US, China and Russia for influence across Africa and the developing world. In recent years, Beijing has vastly expanded its footprint on the continent through infrastructure loans, trade and investments via the Belt and Road Initiative, BRI, and the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation, FOCAC. Conversely, the US and its Western allies have revitalised their African engagements, focusing on security, democratic governance and the green energy transition.
As Africa’s most populous nation and largest economy, Nigeria continues to command global attention due to its vast market, natural resources and regional clout in West Africa. Currently, China stands as one of Nigeria’s largest trading partners, heavily investing in rail transport, infrastructure, energy and telecommunications projects nationwide.
