Students walk past the entrance to the China-Assisted Model Primary School in Abuja, Nigeria, July 6, 2018. China on Friday handed over a block of two newly constructed classrooms to the Nigerian government with an aim of boosting the standard of education in the most populous African country. (Xinhua/Zhang Baoping)

ABUJA, July 6 (Xinhua) -- China on Friday handed over a block of two newly constructed classrooms to the Nigerian government with an aim of boosting the standard of education in the most populous African country.

The donated block of classrooms at the China-Assisted Model Primary School by the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria's capital city of Abuja was constructed by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC).

The gesture was to promote friendship between China and Nigeria at the grassroots level, according to Zhou Pingjian, the Chinese Ambassador in Nigeria.

"China and Nigeria have always been a community with a shared future ... we are willing to do whatever we can to make our relations even stronger. Such a relationship cannot go on without a strong foundation as the friendship and understanding between the two peoples," Zhou said.

Besides the new classrooms built to decongest the school, the Chinese embassy said it also continued to ensure the effective running of the China-Nigeria friendship school, established in 2010 on the outskirts of Abuja.

Minister of Nigeria's Federal Capital Territory Muhammad Bello said through China's gesture, "many lives would be positively affected and destinies shaped."

He urged the young Nigerians to study hard to know more about the world, including China.

The China-Assisted Model Primary School currently has 380 pupils.

The newly constructed classrooms, equipped with desks and benches, whiteboard and ceiling fans, will certainly increase enrolment at the school, said Hajia Saudat Duduyemi, the school's headteacher.

Students play soccer at the China-Assisted Model Primary School in Abuja, Nigeria, July 6, 2018. China on Friday handed over a block of two newly constructed classrooms to the Nigerian government with an aim of boosting the standard of education in the most populous African country. (Xinhua/Zhang Baoping)