The MSL Destroyer NANNING, a Chinese warship, has docked in Lagos as part of a diplomatic visit to Nigeria.
The vessel was warmly received by officials from the Western Naval Command, led by Flag Officer Commanding Rear Admiral Joseph Akpan. As of now, the Nigerian government has not released an official statement regarding the arrival of the warship.
This is not the first time that Chinese naval vessels have visited Nigeria. In 2014, several Chinese warships arrived in the country for a friendship visit, during which they engaged in joint training exercises with the Nigerian Navy.
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The fleet that arrived on that occasion included the Type 054A guided missile frigate Yancheng, the Type 053H guided missile frigate Luoyang, and the supply ship Taihu, with a combined crew of over 600.
The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Gu Xiaojie, and Rear Admiral E.G. Ofik, the chief staff officer of the Nigerian Western Naval Command, were among the officials present to welcome the Chinese fleet.
The visit aimed to strengthen the ties between China and Nigeria, fostering cooperation and mutual understanding in the maritime domain.
Although the purpose of the current visit remains undisclosed, it is expected that the presence of the Chinese warship will contribute to further bilateral engagement and promote collaboration between the two nations in various areas of strategic interest.
