Three Chinese military ships are in Nigeria on a rare visit which officials say is aimed at improving maritime security.
The arrival of the fleet – which is led by a destroyer – comes six months after a new billion-dollar deep sea port was opened in Lagos.
It was Chinese-built and China has retained a majority shareholding in the company that runs the facility.
Correspondents say the port and naval visit are further signs of China’s growing presence in Africa.
Nigeria is a major oil supplier to China.
Last year US defence officials expressed concern that America’s national security could be under threat if China sets up a military base on the West African coastline.
In 2017, China opened its first overseas naval base in Djibouti on the East African coast.