Understanding Sino-Africa Relations: An Analysis Sino-Nigeria Relations Nigeria's fourth republic

No doubt, Sino-Nigeria relations, have been without doubt characterized by twist and turns depending on the leadership. There have been period of docility, some administration have been marked by improved economic and political interaction. Using descriptive analysis and secondary data, this paper examines Sino-Nigeria relations since the fourth republic-1999-2023. The paper is divided into five epoch, pre- fourth republic, Obasanjo era, Yar’adua era, Jonathan era and Buhari’s era. Findings from the study shows that Sino-Nigeria relations have primary focused on improving economic relations through improving trade and infrastructure development in Nigeria under various leadership from 1999. The infrastructure development cut across major sector of Nigeria’s economy such as petroleum, energy, road and rails,telecommunication. China’s support for infrastructure development in Nigeria could be viewed from its Belt and Road initiative. The study concludes that Sino-Nigeria relations reached its highest level under Buhari’s administration with economic and political cooperation climaxing in the closure of Taiwanese Embassy in Abuja in furtherance of One-China Policy.