₦airaland Forum

HustlaOfLagos:
It's actually weird when you think about it.

I am not against collaborating with an ally but blindly following them when you dont have your own stuff is just plain stupid. It makes you susceptible to all manner of fipa which is exactly what we are seeing now

Historically Europe made America and its only natural they reap from where they have sown for centuries this idea that America is all in all is a fallacy as the entire world made that country super power. The next time America has a reasonable president he’s gonna go round the world and beg tire 😂.

Goke7:
Historically Europe made America and its only natural they reap from where they have sown for centuries this idea that America is all in all is a fallacy as the entire world made that country super power. The next time America has a reasonable president he’s gonna go round the world and beg tire 😂.

They will be fine

Its Nigeria I want to key into reasonable alliances and make the country sensible and conducive.

justwise:
You can follow up with a call so as to speak to someone.

They took the money today.

HustlaOfLagos:
They will be fine

Its Nigeria I want to key into reasonable alliances and make the country sensible and conducive.

Nigeria has new friends 😂 France, Brazil and co then everlasting alliance in China! Abi you hear Tinubu complain about tariff?

Goke7:
Nigeria has new friends 😂 France, Brazil and co then everlasting alliance in China! Abi you hear Tinubu complain about tariff?

I wouldn't necessarily call France a great ally

Another banger - https://www.nairaland.com/8602708/trump-accuses-starmer-giving-away

jedisco:
For the very first time, there's been a conversation about China without the usual trope asking 'but why are you not in China'? It was this narrative that led me to keep saying our presence in the west is not cos we're wanted but because we're needed.
Narratives here have seemingly matured.

Still on China- this is huge. ( https://www.nairaland.com/8601905/china-names-24.5-billion-ogidigben ). Imagine the number of high quality jobs and local wealth this would create

While it'd be good to know the terms, I'd much rather we receive such infrastructure-dedicated loans than billions more from the worldbank, IMF or via eurobonds for catch phrases like 'millennium development goals', 'economic resilience' e.t.c

Finally, some screnshots on the state of our foreign loans and interest we pay. Notice the large hitters? Interesting that despite how low China ranks, their loans have generated the most narrative while still being the most tangible.

Still on China...
These are our active eurobonds i.e forex we borrow at commercial rates from the international market. These are open to anyone willing to buy and fund the Nigerian government but they're typically gulped up by banks with deep pockets or pension funds.

To break it down, via eurobonds, we've borrowed over 17 billion usd at rates of between 7-10% and pay about 260 million usd each quarter in interest. If you know what this money was used for, please state

Conversely, we've taken a total 4b usd from china at rates of under 3%. This money has been used for demonstrable projects which we can point to.
However, westerners want us to believe our Chinese loans are a debt trap but are conspicuously silent on our eurobonds..... if this doesn't define hypocrisy, what else does?

Zahra29:
I've watched it.

My view remains the same, although I also agree with Cyberknight's rather sobering assessment that many of these countries may recognise that they are being used by China but may also feel that they don't have m(any) options.

Once again, the question is not whether or not to do business with China. Of course one should. The concern is to what degree. If you know anyone who was born in the Caribbean e.g. Jamaica, or has lived there for decades, ask them about the scale of China's operations over the last decade and the impact it has had/is having on the locals.

I have deliberately not spoken much about China's involvement in other countries as it's not really my business - they are free to do/trade as they please. My main concern is my own country and hoping that my government does not become complacent (and in some cases - stops being complacent) in its dealings with China. I was encouraged to see the protests over the weekend over the proposed super embassy plans - I can only hope that KS et co listen and U-turn again.

I'd be keen to know how this Caribbean country has fared objectively as it regards Chinese loans. What was borrowed? At what rate (if known)? What was it used for? How does it compare to loans taken from other sources?

I was once unduly worried about Nigeria and Chinese loans until I looked into the numbers. From the narrative, one would have thought 90% of our loans were from the Chinese and we were paying relatively huge sums in interest. The reverse was actually the case. Also my knowledge of social media algorithms makes one appreciate how forces that be can drive a narrative.

Goodenoch:
Every day I wonder anew about how people with primary school level education and above ended up voting for or supporting this man-child: https://apple.news/AdjNbEJQ3TD-lP7znf1SfpA

Hehe. Was never a Trumpian but recent events got me 50-50. The once monolithic 'west' is beginning to divide. Unlike in times past where the world waited for them to finish their squabbles and then continue imperialism, this time, folks are moving on.

When Trump finishes focusing on black and brown people, he'd turn to Europe. We saw just that with UK and eastern Europeans. The 'third world' would soon have new entrants.

It seems the thinking of Europe all along has been to kowtow - afterall, it's just 4 years but Trump is grovelling for more. Who's to say what follows is not like him.

Finally with Trump, two things were clear- he stated his campaign objectives. What he's doing today isn't widely different from that. Secondly, he was the clear choice of Americans and performed quite well at the elections. Americans may very well want someone similar in the future.

4ever1:
I am a student

You need to be clear- what course are you studying? what's your background? what roles do you seek? what part of the country are you looking at? That way, people in similar shoes or with the right information can chip in

China is not the enemy of the UK, after all.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/china-embassy-london-uk-royal-mint-court-starmer-b2903828.html?utm_source=taboola&utm_medium=editorial-push

Who said something about the Super embassy being approved?

Goodenoch:
Another banger - https://www.nairaland.com/8602708/trump-accuses-starmer-giving-away

All the dinner at the palace for Trump nko 😂

Raalsalghul:
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/china-embassy-london-uk-royal-mint-court-starmer-b2903828.html?utm_source=taboola&utm_medium=editorial-push

Who said something about the Super embassy being approved?

It has been approved o
Lets be watching and seeing as things unfold

Several concessions must have been had in the background before this approval was done

Raalsalghul:
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/china-embassy-london-uk-royal-mint-court-starmer-b2903828.html?utm_source=taboola&utm_medium=editorial-push

Who said something about the Super embassy being approved?

I wouldn't be surprised if all this brouhaha is just a political talking point with no base. Similar to manythings happening in the world today.

China this, China that.
Even if their initial intention was to use this as a spying hub, the scrutiny it has got would be enough for them to reconsider options.

jedisco:
I wouldn't be surprised if all this brouhaha is just a political talking point with no base. Similar to manythings happening in the world today.

China this, China that.
Even if their initial intention was to use this as a spying hub, the scrutiny it has got would be enough for them to reconsider options.

The whole thing is ridiculous to me sha.

if I want to spy on you, why would I build in your country, under your very nose when I know you can easily catch me? It's the same as the EV listening on people kini. Guess who was actually asked to pay fines for listening in on people and guess which country the coy is resident in? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cr4rvr495rgo

Look at how this one was rambling when asked about listening EVs

WATCH - Premier Ford today said Chinese made EV’s will be listening to your calls. “When you get on your cell phone, it’s the Chinese that are going to be listening”

I ask Ford to back up those claims, & ask if he’s concerned about his Chinese made iPhone spying on him. pic.twitter.com/MT0D3QUfkB

— Richard Southern (@RichardCityNews) January 19, 2026

If you are concerned, what about iPhones / Android devices that are made in China? Our Google / Amazon home speakers? laptops? bluetooth headphones?

HustlaOfLagos:
The whole thing is ridiculous to me sha.

if I want to spy on you, why would I build in your country, under your very nose when I know you can easily catch me? It's the same as the EV listening on people kini. Guess who was actually asked to pay fines for listening in on people and guess which country the coy is resident in? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cr4rvr495rgo

Look at how this one was rambling when asked about listening EVs

WATCH - Premier Ford today said Chinese made EV’s will be listening to your calls. “When you get on your cell phone, it’s the Chinese that are going to be listening”

I ask Ford to back up those claims, & ask if he’s concerned about his Chinese made iPhone spying on him. pic.twitter.com/MT0D3QUfkB

— Richard Southern (@RichardCityNews) January 19, 2026

If you are concerned, what about iPhones / Android devices that are made in China? Our Google / Amazon home speakers? laptops? bluetooth headphones?

It really is a storm in a teacup that's driven by the same China = boogeyman propaganda that makes people react with visceral fear when they hear 'China' without stopping to think about the issue at all.

The odds that the plans would be approved if there was a real risk of China tapping into any comms infrastructure is zero. The issue has been analysed and analysed over almost a decade and everyone from government to all the various intelligence agencies have said it's fine to go ahead from a security standpoint, but we're to take the word of Nairaland security experts that all of those people are missing something so obvious as Xi jinping drilling through the soil and tapping everyone's whatsapp messages, in the same way that Chinese EVs are all listening to people but somehow Chinese phones are completely fine.

It's actually very ridiculous once one holds it up to the light in that way, just like the overarching argument that China is a bigger danger to world peace than America, the UK etc who have invaded countries left right center, kidnapped and assasinated heads of state on every continent (except the ones where there are no heads of state lol), spied on everyone including their allies and generally caused the deaths of millions of people in the past few decades alone.

Most people stop thinking when they hear china and react solely on instinct - that's what it all boils down to sadly, and the media is largely to blame.

Also, some of those who might want to blame Labour for this should read this:

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/oct/29/boris-johnson-approved-chinas-super-embassy-proposal-in-2018

As far back as 2018 the issues around cybersecurity had been assessed and mitigated, but still people think in the almost-10 years since any risks still have not been identified. Ask the protesters to explain how exactly they think it would work and it'll be crickets, I'm sure.

RodgersAkpafu:
It has been approved o
Lets be watching and seeing as things unfold

Several concessions must have been had in the background before this approval was done

I knew it would be approved - more than 7 years after the application was made....Starmer is going to Beijing later this month and he wasn't going to go empty handed.

According to the government:

'...an extensive range of measures have been developed to manage any risks"

Let's hope so. In 5 years, I really don't want to hear - "we will launch a review into how these colossal mistakes were made, and lessons will be learned" 🥴

Also: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jan/18/chinese-mega-embassy-london-british-spies-mi5-analysis

And this: https://www.chathamhouse.org/2025/07/what-uk-must-get-right-its-china-strategy A very clear-eyed assessment of the UK-China relationship from Chatham House, unlike the hysteria from the Daily Heil, Torygraph et al.

That's 1 major ruling down.

The next major ruling due today is the US Supreme Court's decision on the legality of Trump's tariffs. The world holds its breath lol

Goodenoch:
Also: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jan/18/chinese-mega-embassy-london-british-spies-mi5-analysis

And this: https://www.chathamhouse.org/2025/07/what-uk-must-get-right-its-china-strategy A very clear-eyed assessment of the UK-China relationship from Chatham House, unlike the hysteria from the Daily Heil, Torygraph et al.

And the Lib Dems....

Zahra29:
And the Lib Dems....

The Lib Dems have been focused on the optics, the 'oppression of hong kongers' and potential usage of the place to detain dissenters. Although they have referenced spying and surveillance generally, they don't seem (I haven't looked, beyond the 2 minute Google search just now, so I might be mistaken) to have joined the rags I named in peddling the absurd cable tapping conspiracy theory.

https://www.libdems.org.uk/press/release/ico-urged-to-force-release-of-ministers-discussions-on-unredacted-chinese-super-spy-embassy-as-pm-accused-of-conspiracy-of-silence

HustlaOfLagos:
... And what if someone cut from the same coat as Trump emerges and rules for another 8 years making a total of 16 years of ass licking and waiting for someone reasonable to take over? JD Vance? Someone worse? What gives?

[b]At what point does the EU / UK / NATO start to invest in their own weapons/ weapon systems, data centres and infra [/b]and stop licking the ass of the US? When another world war sponsored by their ally happens?

Abi na only me dey look future or from another angle?

NATO has been talking about this for a while (as far back as at least Bush and Obama) , but now ambition needs to be translated into actual plans - and these plans need to be ramped up at pace.

One thing to be grateful to Trump for- sharply focusing minds of EU govts to start spending more on defence, not just welfare. I daresay that a long period of peace in Western Europe, as well as Trident armement, has made the UK very complacent (that word again) in the area of military spending.

Zahra29:
I knew it would be approved - more than 7 years after the application was made....Starmer is going to Beijing later this month and he wasn't going to go empty handed.

According to the government:

'...an extensive range of measures have been developed to manage any risks"

Let's hope so. In 5 years, I really don't want to hear - "we will launch a review into how these colossal mistakes were made, and lessons will be learned" 🥴

Lmaooo
If anything
The UK should really "watch" the activities of the embassy then

Goodenoch:
Most people stop thinking when they hear china and react solely on instinct - that's what it all boils down to sadly, and the media is largely to blame.

The media is a big big part of it.

Was watching stranger things on Netflix yesterday and guess the country that came to the US to build a machine to bring out the creatures that wanted to "take over the world" - Russia ... and a bunch of kids were going to "save the world from the Russians".

So you mean, Russians left their country, went underground in the US and were stealing energy from transformers on US soil to power a destructive creature from hiding and the CIA/FBI did not know.

And the China caping continues on this thread lmaooo.

Make we dey look and observe as things dey unfold sha

People implying that China is not an adversary to keep at bay and calling it media "frenzy"

🤡 🤡 🤡
Na so

Goodenoch:
The Lib Dems have been focused on the optics, the 'oppression of hong kongers' and potential usage of the place to detain dissenters. Although they have referenced spying and surveillance generally, they don't seem (I haven't looked, beyond the 2 minute Google search just now, so I might be mistaken) to have joined the rags I named in peddling the absurd cable tapping conspiracy theory.

https://www.libdems.org.uk/press/release/ico-urged-to-force-release-of-ministers-discussions-on-unredacted-chinese-super-spy-embassy-as-pm-accused-of-conspiracy-of-silence

Nope the Lib Dems have expressed concern over the safety of the HongKongers, as well as national security. They joined the Tories in summoning the Labour Security minister to answer urgent questions in Parliament last week when the unredacted embassy plans were leaked which also included the lowering of a wall right beside the cables.

Zahra29:
NATO has been talking about this for a while (as far back as at least Bush and Obama) , but now ambition needs to be translated into actual plans - and these plans need to be ramped up at pace.

One thing to be grateful to Trump for- sharply focusing minds of EU govts to start spending more on defence, not just welfare. I daresay that a long period of peace in Western Europe, as well as Trident armement, has made the UK very complacent (that word again) in the area of military spending.

The pace needs to "pace" enough

Guess which country has the know how / resources / capacity to build these weapons and ships enmasse other than South Korea & Japan

Zahra29:
Nope the Lib Dems have expressed concern over the safety of the HongKongers, as well as national security. They joined the Tories in summoning the Labour Security minister to answer urgent questions in Parliament last week when the unredacted embassy plans were leaked which also included the lowering of a wall right beside the cables.

But the Chinese will be VERY STUPID to run such an operation on UK soil though, because the scandal WHEN discovered will be something
But again, like I said, let's be watching and see how it plays out

I keep saying it though

An armed to the teeth Europe is dangerous for the world and we have long documented history to that effect
Successive US administrators have been managing the Bretton Woods order with sense, e get why
Agreement is agreement and as long as it is mutually beneficial, why dramatically rock the boat

Man sometimes I just wonder how the US thought, that of all people to elect, it is this clown and joke

Well the silver lining is that at least UK can see a prelude to what a Reform govt will likely look like....
And the administration will be done before GE 2029

HustlaOfLagos:
The pace needs to "pace" enough

Guess which country has the know how / resources / capacity to build these weapons and ships enmasse other than South Korea & Japan

The US and China are the world leaders in military spending and capability.

However the UK and France have nuclear deterrents (others like India, Russia etc) so we're not exactly powerless, although the prayer is to not get to a point where this option is even remotely considered.