Tinubu set to meet Xi Jinping during China visit

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu will visit China to represent the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) at an upcoming summit.

The Nigerian president serves as the chairman of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government.

During the summit, Tinubu will address issues related to regional peace and security, according to presidential spokesman Ajuri Ngelale.

Ngelale also highlighted that the trip aims to secure significant economic benefits for Nigeria.

The visit comes at a time of heightened tension due to recent actions by Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Limited, a Chinese firm that has been involved in seizing Nigerian assets.

Usman Sarki, a former Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, has advocated for diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict with the Chinese company.

He has urged President Tinubu to engage with his Chinese counterpart to address the ongoing asset seizures.

The dispute has escalated following a French court’s recent decision, which ruled in favor of Zhongshan Fucheng and permitted the seizure of three Nigerian presidential jets.

The jets, undergoing routine maintenance in France, were seized as security for claims related to a prolonged legal dispute.

This dispute involves the Chinese firm and the Ogun State government in Nigeria.

ECOWAS

ECOWAS was established in 1975 with the signing of the Treaty of Lagos.

The organization was founded to promote regional economic integration, economic growth, political stability, and social development among member states.

ECOWAS currently comprises 15 West African countries, each committed to the vision of a unified economic space.

ECOWAS aims for economic integration, peace, security, political stability, and democratic governance within the region.

They achieve these goals through various initiatives, including peacekeeping missions and conflict resolution efforts.

Additionally, they involve establishing frameworks for free trade and movement across member states.

Tinubu ’s leadership as ECOWAS Chairman

Since assuming the role of ECOWAS Chairman, President Tinubu has taken decisive actions to address critical regional issues.

He characterizes his approach to leadership by taking a strong stance on maintaining constitutional order and democratic governance in West Africa.

For instance, Tinubu actively mediates the crises in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, where military coups threaten regional stability.

One of Tinubu’s significant initiatives as chairman has been his push for economic integration, including supporting the development of a single currency for the region, known as the ECO.

This initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance trade and investment opportunities within ECOWAS, which could significantly boost economic growth across member states.

Tinubu has also focused on improving regional infrastructure and trade, advocating for policies that reduce poverty and promote development.

People praise his leadership for uniting the region politically and economically, viewing it as crucial for navigating West Africa’s challenges.

Detailed account of the dispute

The legal conflict between Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Limited and Nigeria originates from a 2010 agreement between the company and the Ogun State government.

Zhongshan, through its parent company Zhuhai Zhongfu Industrial Group Co. Ltd., invested heavily in developing the Ogun Guangdong Free Trade Zone (OGFTZ).

By 2016, the project had attracted businesses and generated significant tax revenue for the state.

However, the Ogun State government abruptly terminated Zhongshan’s contract, accusing the company of fraud and attempting to replace it with another Chinese firm.

This led to severe tensions, including the arrest and alleged mistreatment of Zhongshan executives by Nigerian authorities.

In response, Zhongshan initiated arbitration under the China-Nigeria Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT).

They claimed Nigeria violated the treaty by failing to provide fair and equitable treatment, among other grievances.

In 2021, an arbitral tribunal awarded Zhongshan over $55 million in damages.

Despite Nigeria’s immunity claims, UK and French courts allowed Zhongshan to enforce the award through legal rulings.

Most notably, in August 2024, a French court ordered the seizure of three Nigerian presidential jets as part of the enforcement of this award.