Nigeria has formally endorsed China’s newly unveiled Global Governance Initiative (GGI), describing it as a “timely and thoughtful contribution” to global cooperation at a time of mounting geopolitical tensions, climate challenges, and rapid technological change.
The Federal Government, in a statement issued on Thursday, September 11, 2025, by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, applauded Beijing’s effort to propose a new framework for global order.
The endorsement follows the unveiling of the GGI at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Plus meeting held in Tianjin, China, on September 1, 2025.
“The Global Governance Initiative represents a timely and thoughtful contribution to ongoing efforts aimed at strengthening the international system,” the statement read.
The Global Governance Initiative builds on Beijing’s earlier international blueprints — the Global Development Initiative (GDI) launched in 2021, the Global Security Initiative (GSI) in 2022, and the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI) in 2023.
Unlike its predecessors, which focused separately on development, security, and cultural cooperation, the GGI takes a more comprehensive approach.
It emphasizes reforms in international institutions, fairer participation of developing nations in global decision-making, and effective solutions for pressing challenges such as:
Climate change adaptation and mitigation
Artificial intelligence and digital inequality
Outer space and cyberspace governance
Adherence to international law and sovereign equality
The initiative has been presented ahead of the 80th anniversary of the United Nations in 2025, a symbolic move highlighting China’s call for reforms in the multilateral system.
Nigeria’s backing of the GGI is rooted in its broader diplomatic principles and economic ambitions. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the framework aligns with:
Nigeria’s National Development Goals – particularly its emphasis on inclusive growth, technological innovation, and international trade partnerships.
Strategic Autonomy – maintaining independence in foreign policy while balancing relationships with major powers.
African Union’s Agenda 2063 – which envisions “The Africa We Want,” focused on prosperity, integration, and global influence.
The government welcomed the GGI’s five guiding principles: sovereign equality, rule of law, multilateralism, people-centred governance, and results-oriented action.
“As one of Africa’s largest economies and an active participant in multilateral diplomacy, Nigeria views the GGI as a valuable platform for advancing shared priorities, including reform of the United Nations, inclusive governance in emerging domains such as artificial intelligence, cyberspace, and outer space, and the promotion of equitable development,” Ebienfa stated.
Nigeria’s endorsement carries strategic weight for both its domestic and foreign policy outlook. Analysts note three key implications:
Stronger Ties with China
China is already Nigeria’s largest bilateral creditor and a major investor in rail, energy, and digital infrastructure. Supporting the GGI reinforces this partnership at a time when Western financial flows to Africa are tightening.
Leadership Role in Africa
By endorsing a governance framework championed by China, Nigeria signals its intent to lead African countries in shaping new international rules, especially in technology, trade, and climate governance.
Balancing Global Competition
The initiative comes amid heightened rivalry between the United States and China. Nigeria’s support reflects a broader Global South preference for multipolarity — rejecting dominance by any single power bloc.
Reactions to the Global Governance Initiative have been mixed worldwide.
While many developing nations have praised its inclusive vision, Western analysts see it as a geopolitical tool by Beijing to reshape global institutions in its favour.
For African nations like Nigeria, however, the GGI offers an opportunity to demand reforms in long-standing structures such as the United Nations Security Council, where Africa currently lacks permanent representation despite housing 1.4 billion people.
Nigeria has pledged to work collaboratively with partners across the Global South to promote consensus, strengthen regional cooperation, and contribute to a “more sustainable and equitable global order.”
By endorsing the GGI, the country reaffirmed its “enduring commitment to a more just, inclusive, and effective international order, one that reflects the aspirations of all peoples and upholds the principles of shared responsibility and mutual respect.”
Observers believe the next steps will involve Nigeria participating actively in upcoming GGI forums, ensuring African priorities such as debt restructuring, climate finance, and digital inclusion are not sidelined.
Nigeria’s endorsement of China’s Global Governance Initiative highlights its dual ambition: to strengthen ties with Beijing while also championing Africa’s voice in the evolving global order.
As multilateral institutions face growing pressure to adapt to new realities, Abuja’s backing of the GGI underscores a strategic bet that the future of global governance must reflect not just the interests of powerful states but also the aspirations of the Global South.
With Nigeria positioning itself as both a regional leader and a global partner, its support could be pivotal in shaping debates around governance, equity, and international cooperation in the years ahead.