Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has said China is a strategic and dependable partner in his administration's determination to change the direction and content of governance in the country.
In a statement made available to Xinhua in Lagos, Nigeria's economic hub on Saturday,the Nigerian leader said his administration, since its inauguration in May 2015, had embarked on the task of refocusing governance on the real needs of the vast majority of Nigerians.
He expressed the confidence that China will always stand shoulder to shoulder with Nigeria in its pursuit of prosperity and its quest to fulfill people's aspirations.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and dozens of his counterparts from African countries have wrapped up the the two-day Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) held in Johannesburg, South Africa.[Special coverage]
Xi announced on Saturday that he and African leaders have reached consensus on upgrading China-Africa relations to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.
Nigerian president expressed the hope that the Summit would engender the right platform to engage Africa in all fields of development such as infrastructure, skills development, capacity building and economic diversification.
The president noted with delight the laudable objectives of FOCAC in fostering and deepening political, economic, technological, social and other forms of relations between China and Africa.
Buhari praised China for the vision of FOCAC to take Africa-China relationship to a higher level.
He said Africa expects Chinese investments to further promote industrialization, tackle the challenge of unemployment and enhance food security.
He also stressed the need for political stability, security and sustainable development on the African continent.
