Abdulrahman Dambazau: AMBASSADOR TO CHINA

Military Veteran, Politician, and Diplomat. Let’s maintain mutual respect without insults, curses or abuses. Let’s exchange ideas to improve our knowledge.

[Abdulrahman Dambazau: AMBASSADOR TO CHINA @MYPD2020]

We can learn a few things, though the security environments are different, including the threats. Demography, terrain, security architecture, nature of governance (especially security governance), and historical antecidents, are some of the factors that influence how every country approaches its security challenges. In China, for example, every individual, citizen or visitor, can be accounted for 24/7. If a visitor enters China and overstays by one minute, they have the capacity to trace and deport him or her. Of course no society is free of deviants or violators of the law, but the capacity to enforce law and order is what makes the difference.

[Abdulrahman Dambazau: AMBASSADOR TO CHINA @MYPD2020]

Tackling insecurity in Nigeria, requires a holistic approach. I have mentioned this since 2012. The perception then was more of a problem for the northeast, and more specifically, a problem for Borno state. For our immediate neighbors, they perceived it more of a problem of Nigeria. Today, that perception has been proven wrong. The insecurity today is a regional challenge, requiring a well-coordinated regional response.

Insecurity in Nigeria is linked to the insecurity in the Sahel, ECOWAS, Lake Chad region, Central & East Africa, and the Gulf of Guinea. It is worsened by our porous and pervasive borders, resulting in criminal and illegal cross-border activities. Arms, drug, and human trafficking have been on the increase. Nigeria has the highest proliferation of firearms within ECOWAS and Lake Chad region, with more than seven million in the hands of non-state actors. Nigeria is not only a major transit country of illicit drugs in West Africa, but also consumption rate has been in the increase, especially among young persons. Criminal gangs, insurgents, and terrorists provide market for arms dealers and drug traffickers.

Our communities, especially rural communities are vulnerable. Taking advantage of the ungoverned spaces, violent groups have infiltrated the communities where they recruit uneducated, unemployed, abandoned children and young people as their foot soldiers. These violent groups also pretend to fill governance gaps, especially security protection, to collect taxes, create their own laws, and coerce the communities to provide information on security forces.

So what should be done…
We should focus on an intelligence-driven strategy that is comprehensive and holistic.

First, there must be collective ownership, and people should stop looking at the insecurity from religious, ethnic, or regional perspective. “A threat to one Nigerian citizen should be a threat to ALL Nigerian citizens,” should be the principle and spirit of nationhood.

Second, Nigeria must lead a regional drive to tackling insecurity by ensuring adequate cooperation, collaboration, and coordination with its immediate neighbors, ECOWAS members (including the trio of Nigér, Mali, & Burkina Faso that opted out of ECOWAS to form a separate alliance), LCBC, and Sahel countries. Nigeria must also seek partnership with strategic friendly countries, especially in providing technical support to effectively and efficiently monitor and respond to security threats.

Third, every Nigeria must feel a sense of justice, a fulfillment of the social contract between government and citizens. And the law should not be a respecter of persons, while every violation of the law, should attract response from the criminal justice system. As the gatekeepers, the police should ensure trust and confidence of the people. If found guilty, violators must be punished accordingly, before any attempt to grant amnesty, where it is deemed necessary.

We must strengthen conflict resolution mechanisms, particularly in communal clashes, such as border disputes, herder-farmer issues, religious or ethnic crises, etc. Resolving local disputes is the first step towards reinforcing peace and security in our communities.

Fourth, security agencies must work together, rather than operating in silos. It is not competition or rivalry, rather collaboration to tackle national security threats.

Fifth, government, and particularly state governments, must focus attention to improving the well-being of citizens, by tackling poverty, illiteracy, unemployment, environmental degradation, diseases, etc. These are fundamental issues that the use of force cannot tackle. Only good governance can do so.

[Abdulrahman Dambazau: AMBASSADOR TO CHINA @MYPD2020]

Generalship starts with one-star and highest in Nigeria today is a four-star. You may refer to anyone who has attained this category of military rank as General. Even in a demi-official correspondence, you can address a Brigadier-General as "Dear General". In official capacity, you can be specific to the rank as in "Brigadier General or Major General".

[Abdulrahman Dambazau: AMBASSADOR TO CHINA @MYPD2020]

Today I declare open a 3-day training conference of Nigerian Immigration Attachés covering the whole of the Asian countries and Austrailia.

The training conference is on the implementation of the Federal Government policy on Contactless Passport issuance system. It means one can apply for the renewal of passport from the comfort of his or her bedroom. And also receive it by mail without the need to visit any immigration office.

The whole idea is to streamline the application and issuance of passport through online platform.

The Special Train-the-Trainer program being hosted by the Nigerian Embassy, Beijing, is to ensure availability of passports to applicants using the fastest possible means in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of PBAT.

No doubt if properly implemented, it will increase accessibility and drastically reduce delays in the renewal of passports to Nigerians. There are 17 participants involved, and it is expected that on completion, they will train others in their respective missions. This will certainly make things easier especially for the Nigeria diaspora communities worldwide.

[Abdulrahman Dambazau: AMBASSADOR TO CHINA @MYPD2020]

You are in a hurry to get to where I reached by Allah's will. I am not competing with you. I am only giving back to society. You should work hard, pray hard, and be patient. If you are in a rush or you think someone like me has taken your position, you are unlikely to reach anywhere in life. When drive beyond the speed limit, the chances of fatality is very high in case of crash. Observe the speed limit and remain on your lane. A child who disrespects another child's father is likely to disrespect his father. You probably must have said same to yours. Your message is rude therefore you are no longer welcome to this handle.

[Abdulrahman Dambazau: AMBASSADOR TO CHINA @MYPD2020]

Today I met with all staff (home-base and local), a sort of “know ourselves meet.” I reiterated our responsibilities in representing Nigeria & Nigerians as a whole. I later received individual briefs from the key officers of the Mission. Very insightful…

[Abdulrahman Dambazau: AMBASSADOR TO CHINA @MYPD2020]

@hydar_24 Read carefully. There are two categories: under 50 and under 40. As long as you are under.... and belong to the public or private institutions, you are eligible to apply.

[Abdulrahman Dambazau: AMBASSADOR TO CHINA @MYPD2020]

The Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China China Aid Training Program is part of China’s international development and foreign assistance initiatives. It mainly targets government officials, academics, technical experts, and managers from developing countries, including Nigeria. Programs are usually fully funded and hosted by Chinese universities or training institutions under MOFCOM supervision.

Key Information

* Duration: Usually 2–3 weeks for short-term seminars/training
* Funding: Covers airfare, accommodation, meals, local transport, training materials, and medical insurance
* Fields Covered:
* Infrastructure
* Agriculture
* Manufacturing
* Public administration
* Health
* Education
* Energy
* Environmental protection
* Trade and economics
* Poverty alleviation
* Digital technology and AI

Eligibility

Typical requirements include:

* Government or institutional employment
* English proficiency
* Good health
* Age limits:
* Director-General level: under 50
* Division Director level: under 45

Applications are normally submitted through the Chinese Embassy’s Economic and Commercial Office in the applicant’s country.

Official Information Sources

China Aid / AIBO Official Platform

China-AIBO Official Website

This is the main official portal for:

* Current seminars
* Training schedules
* MOFCOM scholarship programs
* University partnerships
* Application notices

Examples of Current Programs

Several Chinese universities run these programs under MOFCOM sponsorship, including:

* Nanchang University
* Nankai University
* CIFAL Shanghai

These institutions host seminars on governance, trade, agriculture, technology, healthcare, and public administration.

Chinese Embassy Information

For Nigerian applicants, applications generally go through the:
Embassy of China in Nigeria

You can usually find:

* Calls for applications
* Embassy contact details
* Nomination procedures
* Required forms and medical reports

MOFCOM Scholarship Programs

Apart from short training, China also offers full Master’s and PhD scholarships under the MOFCOM Scholarship program for officials and professionals from developing countries.

Important Advice

Only apply through:

* Official Chinese Embassy channels
* Recognized government ministries
* Official university websites
* The official AIBO portal

[Abdulrahman Dambazau: AMBASSADOR TO CHINA @MYPD2020]

@Datannej I am sure there will be. I will communicate as soon as I get the relevant information.

[Abdulrahman Dambazau: AMBASSADOR TO CHINA @MYPD2020]

@PDAdedapo @hydar_24 [email protected]

[Abdulrahman Dambazau: AMBASSADOR TO CHINA @MYPD2020]

With the implementation of China’s Zero-Tariff policy for products from 53 African countries, including Nigeria, here is an opportunity to further boost Nigeria’s agricultural exports to China.

China’s Chamber of Commerce of import & export of foodstuffs… is organizing China International Sesame Conference & China International Peanut Conference 2026 in Qingdao from August 23-25, 2026. It is China’s only international event dedicated to sesame and peanut, serving as a pivotal platform for global sesame and peanut industry stakeholders, including producers, traders, processors, and policymakers, to exchange insights, showcase achievements, and explore opportunities for business partnership.

Nigeria being one of the world’s major producers of sesame and peanut, holds an important position in the Chinese market. Interested persons, especially young entrepreneurs, are encouraged to participate. Check out the website https://t.co/s1PCi05Dto or email [email protected] or contact Mr Zhang Jun, [phone].

#CFNA
#ChinaZeroTariff
#NigerianEmbassyBeijing

[Abdulrahman Dambazau: AMBASSADOR TO CHINA @MYPD2020]

@hydar_24 Imported textiles, for example, contribute significantly to killing our textile industries - the home-base could not compete with the imported because they were cheaper.

[Abdulrahman Dambazau: AMBASSADOR TO CHINA @MYPD2020]

That’s if you want to maintain the trade imbalance. I thought you should ask “how about Chinese investors establishing factories to manufacture the goods in Nigeria instead of importing them…” Certainly, you would increase opportunities for employment, reduce competition on imported goods, provide skills, and transfer some technology.

[Abdulrahman Dambazau: AMBASSADOR TO CHINA @MYPD2020]

Finally, I am in the office only taking position before the completion of handing/taking over... no doubt it feels a challenging job from the activities seen so far. But certainly ready to give all the time and energy to meet up...in shaa Allah.

[Abdulrahman Dambazau: AMBASSADOR TO CHINA @MYPD2020]

Not every violent group terrorizing Nigerians is home-grown.

There are lots of cross-border activities from groups in the Sahel region and the Lake Chad region.

Many of these are affiliated to ISIS, such as ISWAP.

Arms merchants and drug barons have found Nigeria good for their businesses with violent groups.

Dealing with such threats from terrorists and insurgents requires more than Nigeria's efforts because this situation requires a regional response.

By virtue of its size, population, multicultural nature, and natural resources Nigeria has become a theater of operations for non-state actors.

To deal with these challenges requires more than Nigeria's military force. The military is already overstretched.

It requires strengthening bilateral and multilateral relationships involving partnerships with immediate neighbors and strategic international partners to tackle cross-border criminal activities and prevent enemy infiltration, while applying modern technology to increase the capacity for monitoring and surveillance, and the ability to respond to threats in real time.

It also requires strategic move to deal with extreme poverty and unemployment, factors that make easy recruitment of young people by non-state actors possible

It also requires strengthening of the criminal justice systems, especially the local police, responsible for law and order. Delivery and dispensation of justice must be quick and certain.

It also requires strengthening of conflict resolution mechanisms, such as mediation and negotiations, especially when dealing with local disputes that often turn into ethno-religious crises.

It requires the collaboration, coordination, and cooperation among security agencies as against working in silos.

Every part of government and every sector of the society must be involved in tackling these threats, regardless of where they are coming from into Nigeria's territory

[Abdulrahman Dambazau: AMBASSADOR TO CHINA @MYPD2020]

@alouibrahim92 @2babsky78 Ameen Ya Rabb 🙏

[Abdulrahman Dambazau: AMBASSADOR TO CHINA @MYPD2020]

In less than 24hrs of my arrival the Consuls-General under my Mission who are presiding Hong Kong, Guangzhou, and Shanghai, respectively, briefed me in details today. It was a marathon brief that took about 4 hours. We had extensive interaction on almost every issue, diplomatic, trade, consular, technology, and welfare of Nigerians. We will continue to have such meetings to be on same page always.

[Abdulrahman Dambazau: AMBASSADOR TO CHINA @MYPD2020]

In the news...

[Abdulrahman Dambazau: AMBASSADOR TO CHINA @MYPD2020]

This is a very important courtesy call on the CG CUSTOMS and his team mainly because of the role the Nigerian Customs Service will be playing in the implementation of China's Zero-Tariff policy eliminating tariffs on all Nigerian goods entering Chinese market from May 1, 2026.

It aims to correct the bilateral trade imbalance between Nigeria and China. Our entrepreneurs should know that the target goods primarily cover agricultural products and value-added manufactured and industrial goods.

I discussed with the CG and team on their two-pronged role in managing trade flows between Nigeria and China. One involves certification and verification of the origin, classification, and valuation of Nigerian goods to ensure they meet Chinese zero-tariff requirements. The second is fast-tracking clearance involving streamlining border processes and reducing clearance times especially for agricultural products.

It was a most rewarding visit, and from the response I received, there is no doubt we shall work closely to ensure that Nigeria maximizes this opportunity and also strengthen our relationship with China.

[Abdulrahman Dambazau: AMBASSADOR TO CHINA @MYPD2020]

My courtesy visit to the News Agency of Nigeria..