Dr. Efe Yahaya-Shuaibu, CEO of AiFei Chinese School and President of the Confucius Institute Alumni Association of Nigeria, was officially invited to participate in the Lagos Sub-Forum Elite Dialogue commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), co-hosted by the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Lagos, the Africa-China Economic Magazine, and the Institute of African Studies at Zhejiang Normal University, China.
The high-level dialogue was held on November 4th, 2025 at Lilygate Hotel, Lekki, Lagos.’
Theme:
“A New Journey Commemorating the 25th Anniversary of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation”
The forum brought together more than 40 participants, including representatives from Nigerian Think Tanks, scholars, media, and Chinese enterprises, participated in the event.
Experts, diplomats, scholars, and key stakeholders reflect on the progress of China-Africa relations while identifying new pathways for sustainable cooperation.
The central topic for the discussion was:
“Towards a Sustainability of the Fruitful Diplomacy Between China & Africa.”
The Consul-General of the People’s Republic of China in Lagos, Ms Yan Yuqing, in her speech highlighted that “Over the past 25 years, FOCAC has grown rapidly and vigorously, driving China-Africa cooperation to its best period in history and becoming a model of solidarity and collaboration among the Global South.
During these 25 years, the trade volume between China and Africa has increased 27 times, while China’s direct investment stock in Africa has expanded more than 80-fold. China have built or upgraded nearly 100,000 (One hundred thousands) kilometers of roads and more than 10,000 (Ten thousands) kilometers of railways. In just the past three years, Chinese enterprises have created over 1.1 Million jobs across the continent.
The 2024 FOCAC Beijing Summit set a new milestone for China-Africa relations. China and Africa have embarked on a new journey toward building a China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era, while China-Nigeria relations have reached a new height as a comprehensive strategic partnership. At the Summit, President Xi Jinping proposed Six Principles for China and Africa to Pursue Modernization Together and the “Ten Partnership Actions,” which have drawn a new blueprint and provided new momentum for high-quality China-Africa cooperation.
Since the Summit, China’s new investment in Africa has exceeded 13.3 Billion Yuan, and the total amount of financial support has surpassed 150 Billion Yuan. The zero-tariff policy covering 100% of taxable items from the least developed countries having diplomatic ties with China has been fully implemented. In 2024, China-Africa trade reached a historic high of nearly 300 Billion US Dollars. These facts once again demonstrate that China-Africa cooperation holds enormous potential and an even brighter future.”
The Chinese Consul-General speech also focused on China’s 15th five-year development plan that was heralded in the third week of October. And on this new growth era, she noted that: “From 20th to 23rd October, 2025, the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) was successfully convened. The most important outcome of this session was the adoption of the Proposals of the CPC Central Committee on Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development, which provides the top-level design and strategic blueprint for China’s development over the next five years.
The session set seven major goals for the coming period: first, to achieve notable progress in high-quality development; second, to significantly enhance technological self-reliance and innovation capacity; third, to make new breakthroughs in comprehensively deepen reform; fourth, to elevate the level of social and cultural advancement; fifth, to continuously improve the quality of people’s lives; sixth, to make new and major progress in building a Beautiful China; and seventh, to further consolidate the national security framework.
To accomplish these goals, the session laid out twelve strategic tasks, including building a modern industrial system, accelerating technological self-reliance, expanding the domestic market, and promoting high-level opening-up.
The scientific formulation and continuous implementation of the Five-Year Plans have been an important governance practice and a unique political advantage of the Communist Party of China. From the first plan in 1953 to the upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan in 2025, these plans have guided China in achieving development miracles rarely seen in human history—transforming the country from a poor agricultural nation into the world’s largest manufacturing powerhouse and the second-largest economy.”
Dr. Yahaya-Shuaibu’s invitation recognizes his growing influence in China-Nigeria people-to-people diplomacy, cultural exchange, and youth empowerment. Over the years, he has championed initiatives that deepen bilateral understanding, including Chinese language education, scholarship facilitation, academic partnerships, and cultural diplomacy through AiFei Chinese School (EBCTS).
His participation in the Lagos Sub-Forum positions him among notable voices shaping conversations around:
Educational and cultural exchange
Youth empowerment and capacity building
Strengthening diplomatic ties between Nigeria and China
Speaking at the event, Dr. Yahaya-Shuaibu expressed appreciation for the invitation, emphasizing that the future of China-Africa cooperation lies in people-to-people relationships, mutual respect, and opportunities created through education and cultural integration.
As FOCAC marks 25 years of diplomatic achievements, this dialogue provides an important platform for policymakers, diplomats, and influential leaders like Dr. Yahaya-Shuaibu to acquire more knowledge, share experiences and contribute to strategies that will define the next phase of China-Africa cooperation.
Event Details:
📅 Date: November 4th, 2025
🕙 Time: 10:00 AM
📍 Venue: Lilygate Hotel, No. 2 Olubunmi Owa Street, Off Admiralty Way, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos
