China partnership will deliver reliable power to Nigerians — FG

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The Federal Government has said deeper cooperation between Nigeria and China in the power sector will help deliver reliable electricity, renewable energy and locally manufactured power equipment to Nigerians.

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The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, stated this on Wednesday night in Abuja at a reception marking the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

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Tegbe said the benefits of increased Chinese investment would be greater if such cooperation also focused on developing Nigerian technical capacity and strengthening local enterprises.

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He said, “As Minister of Power, I see particular promise in deeper cooperation on achieving reliable electricity, renewable energy, and manufacture of power equipment in Nigeria with our cooperation with China.

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“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.”

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The minister noted that Nigeria and China had developed their relationship from a diplomatic friendship into a broad partnership covering infrastructure, healthcare, technical exchanges, trade and investment.

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He recalled that the two countries established diplomatic relations on February 10, 1971, adding that the relationship was elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnership by President Bola Tinubu and Chinese President Xi Jinping in September 2024.

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Tegbe said Nigeria appreciated China’s contribution through investment, financing and engineering to major projects, including the Lekki Deep Seaport, railway modernisation and the Zungeru Hydropower Station.

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The minister, who is also the Director General of the Nigerian-China Strategic Partnership, commended China’s accomplishments describing it as an extraordinary transformation.

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“China’s advancement and achievement in manufacturing, science, high-speed rail, and clean energy command significant respect.

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The minister also commended China’s zero-tariff programme, saying it presented opportunities for Nigerian producers and could boost the country’s exports.

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The minister disclosed that bilateral trade stood at $28bn at the end of last year, adding that trade had reached $17bn in the first half of 2026.

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He, however, said the focus should now be on translating the growth in trade into increased Nigerian production and exports.

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“Our shared task is to translate that access into stronger Nigerian production and Nigerian exports to China, with benefits that will endure both economies,” he said.

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Tegbe further 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.

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The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, said China-Nigeria relations had entered “the fast lane” under the strategic leadership of President Xi Jinping and President Tinubu.

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Dunhai said the relationship had recorded progress in trade and economic cooperation, noting that recent agreements on economic partnership and aquatic exports would provide institutional support for further trade expansion.

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He said bilateral trade reached $18bn in the first half of 2026, representing a 35 per cent increase, while Chinese imports from Nigeria surged by 81 per cent.

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The ambassador said China was ready to align its 15th Five-Year Plan with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda in areas including industrialisation, digital development, green and blue economies.

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He said, “Our future cooperation holds boundless potential. China stands ready to align its 15th Five-Year Plan with President Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope’ Agenda across industrialisation, digital, green, and blue economies.”

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Dunhai also invited Nigeria to join the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation, saying this would enable the country to participate in global technology development.

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He said China’s zero-tariff treatment for 53 African countries, which began on May 1, had contributed to a 24 per cent increase in China’s imports from Africa in May and June.

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The ambassador added that Chinese innovations in areas such as artificial intelligence, digital payments and solar energy were helping address development challenges across Africa.

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He said China and Nigeria, which are marking 55 years of diplomatic relations, should continue to deepen cooperation based on mutual respect, shared development and practical benefits.

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“Those who walk the same path go far. Let us empower development through innovation, openness, and sincere cooperation to continuously enrich China-Nigeria friendship and write a new chapter in China-Africa relations,” Dunhai said.

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