Nigeria and China have reiterated their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, with both countries identifying trade, infrastructure, energy, technology and economic development as key areas for deeper cooperation.
The commitment was reaffirmed in Abuja during activities marking the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, where Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, described the relationship between the two countries as an important pillar of China-Africa cooperation.
Yu said his two-year experience in Nigeria, including visits to different cities and rural communities, had given him a deeper appreciation of the resilience, optimism and entrepreneurial drive of Nigerians.
He said China remained focused on advancing its modernisation agenda and contributing to global development despite prevailing economic challenges, noting that the country recorded 4.7 per cent economic growth in the first half of the year.
According to him, emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence, robotics, pharmaceuticals and renewable energy were among the areas supporting China’s economic expansion.
The ambassador also highlighted China’s growing engagement in global governance and its efforts to support Africa’s development, saying Beijing had introduced zero-tariff treatment for 53 African countries to encourage exports and promote industrialisation.
He said China would continue to work with African countries to advance regional integration, self-reliance and modernisation through the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and other bilateral and multilateral initiatives.
Speaking on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Minister of Power, Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, congratulated President Xi Jinping, the Chinese government and people on the anniversary.
Tegbe commended China’s transformation since 1949, particularly its progress in manufacturing, science and technology, high-speed rail transportation and clean energy.
He said China’s economic reforms had significantly reduced poverty and created a foundation for sustained development, describing the country’s experience as a notable example of long-term national transformation.
The minister said Nigeria-China relations had continued to expand since diplomatic ties were established on February 10, 1971, with cooperation now covering infrastructure, healthcare, education, technical training and trade.
He noted that the partnership was elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in September 2024 when President Tinubu and President Xi met on the sidelines of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Summit in Beijing.
Tegbe also acknowledged China’s role in major Nigerian infrastructure projects, particularly railway modernisation and power development, while describing the zero-tariff arrangement as an opportunity for Nigerian businesses to expand their exports to the Chinese market.
He disclosed that bilateral trade between Nigeria and China was valued at about $28 billion at the end of last year, while trade volume in the first half of the current year stood at approximately $18 billion.
The minister said Nigeria’s exports to China had recorded significant growth, adding that greater economic engagement could create more opportunities for domestic production and national development.
He identified electricity, renewable energy and local production of power equipment as priority areas for expanded cooperation, stressing the importance of investments that would build local capacity and strengthen Nigerian technical expertise.
Tegbe also reaffirmed Nigeria’s adherence to the One China Principle, recognising the People’s Republic of China as the sole legal government representing China.
He expressed optimism that stronger trade relations, economic partnerships, people-to-people exchanges and development cooperation would further consolidate the longstanding relationship between the two countries.
