A rare visit by three Chinese military ships to Nigeria is intended to enhance maritime security, according to officials.
The fleet, led by a destroyer, arrived in the country six months after the opening of a billion-dollar deep sea port in Lagos, which was constructed by China and is operated by a company in which China holds a majority share.
This visit, along with the establishment of the port, underscores China’s increasing influence in Africa, with Nigeria being a significant 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”.
US defense officials raised alarm last year about the potential risk to America’s national security if China were to establish a military base along the West African coastline.
China’s first overseas naval base was inaugurated in Djibouti on the East African coast in 2017.