Nigeria is seeking to deepen its partnership with China in the power sector, with a focus on improving electricity supply, expanding renewable energy and promoting local manufacturing of power equipment.
The Minister of Power and Director-General of the Nigeria-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, Joseph Tegbe, made the call on Wednesday in Abuja at a reception organised by the Chinese Embassy to commemorate the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
Tegbe said Nigeria considered China an important partner in addressing challenges in the power sector and expanding investment in renewable energy and equipment manufacturing.
“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,” he said.
The minister, however, stressed that Chinese investments in Nigeria should extend beyond infrastructure development to include skills transfer and the training of Nigerian engineers and technicians.
According to him, developing local technical capacity would enable Nigerian professionals and businesses to operate, maintain and eventually develop infrastructure delivered through international partnerships.
Tegbe commended China for its contributions to Nigeria’s infrastructure development, citing the Lekki Deep Sea Port, railway modernisation projects and the Zungeru Hydropower Station as notable examples.
He said bilateral cooperation had also expanded into healthcare, technical training and people-to-people exchanges.
The minister further welcomed China’s zero-tariff programme for African countries, saying the initiative could provide Nigerian producers and exporters with greater access to the Chinese market.
He noted that Nigeria and China had also signed agreements facilitating the export of aquatic products to China, describing the development as another opportunity for Nigerian businesses to increase production and exports.
Speaking at the event, the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, said bilateral trade between both countries reached $18 billion in the first half of 2026, representing a 35 per cent increase.
Yu added that Chinese imports from Nigeria increased by 81 per cent during the period.
He said China’s zero-tariff treatment for 53 African countries, which took effect on May 1, had opened new opportunities for African exporters.
According to the ambassador, Chinese imports from Africa rose by 24 per cent in May and June, adding that the policy could help African countries transform their natural resources into greater industrial and export capacity.
Yu said China was ready to further strengthen cooperation with Nigeria in industrialisation, digital development, as well as the green and blue economies.
He added that China was prepared to align its 15th Five-Year Plan with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, describing the future prospects of China-Nigeria relations as “boundless.”
Tegbe reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the One-China principle, stressing that bilateral relations should continue to be anchored on mutual respect and sovereign equality.
Nigeria and China established diplomatic relations in 1971, while their relationship was elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnership in September 2024.
