The federal government has secured a $1 million grant from the People’s Republic of China to support flood relief operations in northern Nigeria. The announcement was made by the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, during the signing ceremony for the Exchange of Notes with the Chinese Ambassador, Yu Dunhai, in Abuja.
The financial assistance will be directed to communities severely affected by recent flooding, including Kebbi, Jigawa, Sokoto, Borno, Taraba, and Adamawa states. Senator Bagudu described the support as a timely humanitarian gesture that reflects the growing cooperation between Nigeria and China across various sectors, including trade, infrastructure, technology, agriculture, and disaster relief.
He explained that the grant would be managed through a transparent framework developed from past experiences and standardized templates to ensure effective delivery. He also confirmed that a joint monitoring and evaluation mechanism would be established with the Chinese Embassy to oversee the implementation process.
Ambassador Yu Dunhai extended condolences to Nigerians who lost loved ones in the floods and reaffirmed China’s solidarity with Nigeria. He recalled China’s own recent flooding challenges in Beijing’s suburbs in July and noted that both nations continue to stand together in times of difficulty. He expressed confidence in Nigeria’s ability to recover through strong leadership and collective effort.
The Ambassador further explained that the assistance reflects the deepening of bilateral relations between the two countries. He highlighted that President Xi Jinping recently granted zero-tariff treatment on a wide range of tariff lines for African countries with diplomatic ties to China, including Nigeria. According to him, the initiative is expected to boost exports, generate jobs, and strengthen economic development.
