China Reaffirms Commitment to Nigeria Under Global Governance Initiative (GGI)

China has restated its commitment to working closely with Nigeria and other African nations under the new Global Governance Initiative (GGI). At a one-day seminar in Abuja themed “Opportunities for China–Nigeria Cooperation under GGI”, Mr. Dong Hairong, Counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, emphasized that the initiative offers a fresh platform to push for a more inclusive global governance system. He said the GGI reflects President Xi Jinping’s vision to provide “another public good to the world” and deepen collaboration with the Global South.

Introduced on September 1, 2025, by President Xi, the GGI joins China’s existing Global Development Initiative (GDI), Global Security Initiative (GSI) and Global Civilization Initiative (GCI) — four key pillars of China’s global vision to build “a community with a shared future for mankind.” Dong explained that these initiatives aim to reform international institutions, tackle historical injustices, and give the Global South a stronger voice in decision-making bodies like the UN Security Council and international financial systems.

Nigeria’s participation in the GGI was presented as a strategic opportunity to boost its global relevance, drive economic growth, and advance long-term development priorities. Speaking at the event, Director-General of the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (NCSP) stressed that the initiative goes beyond policy ideas to offer tangible benefits in technology, infrastructure, trade, and cultural exchange. “For our great country, Nigeria, the Global Governance Initiative represents real opportunities,” he said, highlighting industrialisation and technology as areas ripe for cooperation.

Policy experts at the seminar also called for action-oriented collaboration. Charles Onunaiju, Director of the Centre for China Studies, noted that the success of the GGI will depend on “practical implementation, not rhetoric.” He urged Nigeria and China to leverage their existing inter-governmental platforms to design concrete action plans under the initiative. Meanwhile, Dr. Sam Amadi, Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thought, advised Nigeria to pair international partnerships with strong domestic leadership, citing China’s own rise through internal reforms and techno-industrialisation.

China’s proposal to extend collaboration under the GGI covers critical areas such as climate change, artificial intelligence, cyberspace, trade, and outer space. Mr. Dong expressed hope that the seminar would generate “new ideas” for cooperation between both nations. As Nigeria looks to harness the benefits of the initiative, analysts say its ability to combine global partnerships with homegrown reforms will determine how far the country can leverage the GGI to transform its economy and strengthen its global standing.