China has agreed to lend Nigeria US$2.5 billion for infrastructure projects in a bid to gain access to Nigerian energy reserves, the Financial Times reported. Nigerian oil minister Odein Ajumogobia told the paper that Beijing had offered the loan as a part of talks regarding gaining energy exploration rights in Nigeria, though no specific oil blocks were tied to the agreement. The agreement includes a $500 million loan taken on concessionary terms, which has already been signed. A deal is close on a second loan for US$2 billion from the Export-Import Bank of China. The loan agreement suggests China is attempting to forge a closer relationship with Nigerian president Umaru Yar’Adua as part of an overall charm offensive in Nigeria, the paper said. Earlier this month, China’s export credit guarantee agency, Sinosure, offered Nigeria US$50 billion in export credit guarantees.