Nigeria’s growing economic relationship with China should produce more Nigerian goods, technical skills and power equipment, Minister of Power Joseph Tegbe has said.
Tegbe made the call on Wednesday night in Abuja at a reception to celebrate the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
He said cooperation with China in electricity, renewable energy and equipment manufacturing could give Nigerians greater benefits when Nigerian engineers, technicians and businesses also gain from the investment.
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The minister said the focus should not be limited to bringing Chinese capital into Nigeria. He said such cooperation should also help Nigerians acquire the skills needed to operate and maintain projects built in the country.
“The benefits will be the greatest when investment also develops Nigerian engineers, technicians, and strengthens local enterprises and equips us to operate and maintain what we build in Nigeria.”
Trade grows, Nigeria seeks more exports
Tegbe said trade between Nigeria and China stood at $28 billion at the end of last year and reached $17 billion in the first half of 2026.
He said China’s zero-tariff programme had created opportunities for Nigerian producers and could help the country sell more goods to the Chinese market.
The minister, however, said Nigeria needed to turn access to the Chinese market into higher domestic production and more exports.
“Our shared task is to translate that access into stronger Nigerian production and Nigerian exports to China, with benefits that will endure both economies.”
Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria Yu Dunhai gave a different figure for first-half trade, putting bilateral trade at $18 billion. He said the figure represented a 35 per cent increase and that Chinese imports from Nigeria had risen by 81 per cent.
Dunhai said recent agreements on economic partnership and aquatic exports had provided institutional support for further trade expansion.
China began zero-tariff treatment for 53 African countries on May 1. The ambassador said Chinese imports from Africa rose by 24 per cent in May and June.
He also invited Nigeria to join the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation, saying membership would allow the country to take part in global technology development.
Dunhai said China was ready to align its 15th Five-Year Plan with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda in industrialisation, digital development, green economy and blue economy.
Power cooperation and local skills
For Tegbe, electricity is another major area where the two countries can build practical cooperation.
He said Nigeria could gain from Chinese investment in reliable electricity, renewable energy and the manufacture of power equipment.
He also said the relationship between both countries had developed from diplomatic friendship into cooperation covering infrastructure, healthcare, technical exchanges, trade and investment.
Nigeria and China established diplomatic relations on February 10, 1971. Tegbe said the relationship became a comprehensive strategic partnership under Tinubu and Chinese President Xi Jinping in September 2024.
He cited Chinese investment, financing and engineering contributions to projects including the Lekki Deep Seaport, railway modernisation and the Zungeru Hydropower Station.
Tegbe also praised China’s achievements in manufacturing, science, high-speed rail and clean energy.
“China’s advancement and achievement in manufacturing, science, high-speed rail, and clean energy command significant respect.”
Dunhai said China and Nigeria were celebrating 55 years of diplomatic relations and should continue working together based on mutual respect, shared development and practical benefits.
He also pointed to Chinese innovations in artificial intelligence, digital payments and solar energy as areas that could help address development challenges in Africa.
Tegbe reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the one-China principle, saying the Federal Government recognised the People’s Republic of China as the sole legal government representing the whole of China.
Dunhai said the future of the relationship had significant potential and called for cooperation through innovation, openness and sincere partnership.
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