Nigeria expected to join Belt and Road Initiative

Nigeria is likely to join the ever-growing Belt and Road Initiative, according to the West African nation's ambassador to China, in order to further deepen cooperation between the two countries.

Nigeria, the economic and commercial hub of West Africa, is eagerly eyeing membership in the initiative, said Baba Ahmad Jidda, the Nigerian ambassador to China.

As China's third-largest trading partner in Africa and second-largest African export market, Nigeria is already doing business with many companies involved in the initiative, and government leaders are well aware of the investment possibilities that could result from membership. "The role of Nigeria in the initiative is very important," Jidda said, adding that his country is one of the African nations looking to join the Belt and Road Initiative.