By Nkechi Eze
Nigeria has expressed deep appreciation to the Government of the People’s Republic of China for its continued support for international cooperation and capacity building, particularly through initiatives aimed at advancing industrialisation and sustainable development across developing nations.
The commendation was made by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, during the joint closing ceremony of a seminar on Industrial Cooperation and New Industrialisation held in Beijing, China.
The seminar, organised by the Academy of International Business Officials, ran from March 19 to April 1, 2026, and brought together participants from several countries across Africa, Asia, Oceania and Latin America under the framework of the Global Development Initiative.
Speaking on behalf of the participants, Ebienfa described the programme as an intellectually enriching and transformative experience that provided a comprehensive understanding of China’s remarkable journey in industrial modernisation.
He expressed profound gratitude to the leadership and staff of the Academy of International Business Officials for organising what he described as an eye-opening seminar, while also acknowledging the support of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Abuja for facilitating the nomination and sponsorship of Nigerian participants.
According to him, the seminar provided an opportunity for participants to gain deep insights into China’s industrial policies, technological innovation strategies and practical frameworks that are driving the Global Development Initiative.
Ebienfa noted that from the moment participants arrived in Beijing, the warm reception, comfortable accommodation and hospitality provided by the organisers created a conducive learning environment that enhanced the overall experience of the programme.
He added that the high quality of lectures delivered by distinguished faculty members, combined with well-structured site visits to key industrial facilities, allowed participants to gain practical exposure to China’s industrial ecosystem and technological capabilities.
“At a time when nations of the world continue to advance the benefits of interconnectivity and peaceful coexistence, we are leaving this programme not only with new knowledge about China and the transformational leadership driving its development, but also with a broader perspective on how people-oriented national development plans, effective utilisation of resources and strategic cooperation can translate to improved lifestyles, sustainable development and prosperity,” he said.
One of the highlights of the seminar was a series of visits to iconic historical and industrial sites across China, including the world-renowned Great Wall of China and the Museum of the Communist Party of China.
Participants also toured major industrial hubs such as the Suzhou Industrial Park and the Suzhou-Changshu Economic and Technological Development Zone, where they observed first-hand the state-of-the-art infrastructure, smart manufacturing systems powered by clean energy, and advanced technological innovations that have helped position China as a global industrial powerhouse.
Ebienfa said the visits demonstrated China’s determination to positively impact global industrial production and innovation, noting that many of the facilities visited serve as production headquarters for leading global brands.
Reflecting on the relevance of the seminar to developing countries, particularly those in Sub-Saharan Africa, the Nigerian diplomat described the experience as a wake-up call for governments across the region to translate lessons learned into practical policy actions.
According to him, African countries must consciously develop strategies to utilise their demographic advantages particularly their large youthful populations and abundant natural resources to drive economic growth, industrialisation and improved living standards.
“For us in Sub-Saharan Africa, this is a clarion call to deliberately strive to influence decision-making and policy implementation at sub-national, national and regional levels in order to evolve modalities that will enable us utilise our demographic advantage and natural resources for the benefit of our people,” he said.
He further noted that China has remained a dependable partner to Africa, highlighting the extensive investments and development projects undertaken across the continent.
“China has been a good friend of Africa. China is doing a lot in Africa, and there is more to benefit both sides in areas of mutual interest, especially with our abundant natural resources and very profitable investment opportunities,” he added.
The seminar also fostered strong interpersonal and professional relationships among the participants, with 130 delegates from ten countries collaborating and exchanging ideas throughout the two-week programme.
Ebienfa said the diverse backgrounds of participants from Africa, Asia, Oceania and Latin America enriched discussions and created an atmosphere of mutual learning and cultural exchange.
He noted that the programme allowed participants to build lasting relationships and collectively commit themselves to promoting peaceful global cooperation and industrial development.
“To my fellow one hundred and thirty participants from ten countries, the past two weeks afforded us a unique opportunity to engage with professionals from diverse backgrounds. We bonded effortlessly as a family committed to a peaceful world, and we are today ambassadors of AIBO and the Chinese industrialisation success story,” he said.
Looking ahead, the Nigerian diplomat expressed confidence that the knowledge and experience gained during the seminar would be applied by participants in their respective countries to strengthen industrial cooperation and deepen bilateral relations with China.
He emphasised that participants would contribute to the shared global vision of inclusive development and prosperity where no nation is left behind.
Ebienfa also paid special tribute to the leadership and staff of the Academy of International Business Officials for their dedication and hospitality throughout the programme.
He specifically acknowledged the Vice President of the Academy as well as the programme’s group coordinator, Richard, and his assistants Chloe, Emily and Helen, for their support and commitment to ensuring the comfort and safety of participants during their stay.
In his closing remarks, Ebienfa conveyed the appreciation of the Government and people of Nigeria to the Government of the People’s Republic of China for supporting several capital-intensive and landmark development projects across Nigeria.
He also highlighted the importance of continued capacity-building initiatives that strengthen the longstanding diplomatic and economic relations between both nations.
“On behalf of the Government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, we are grateful to the Government of the People’s Republic of China for your support and funding of various capital-intensive and landmark projects in my country. We appreciate the opportunities created for capacity building and the friendly relations between our countries,” he said.
The seminar formed part of broader efforts under the Global Development Initiative to strengthen international collaboration, knowledge exchange and sustainable development partnerships among countries of the Global South.
