China partnership will deliver reliable power to Nigerians — FG

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.

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.

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.

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.

“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.”

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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

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.

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

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.

“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.