Nigeria and China have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, with Beijing announcing a RMB 200 million grant, estimated at $3.3 million, to support jointly identified development projects in Nigeria.
The commitment was made during a meeting between the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dunoma Umar Ahmed, and the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, in Abuja.
The discussions focused on trade, investment, security, energy, manufacturing, agriculture, digital technology, mining and artificial intelligence.
Ambassador Yu said Nigerian exporters would benefit from China’s zero-tariff policy, which provides easier access for Nigerian products to the Chinese market.
“The arrangement will create new opportunities for Nigerian manufacturers and exporters, including producers of plastic products, to expand into the Chinese market,” he said.
The Chinese envoy also announced that the Chinese Government had approved a RMB 200 million grant for projects to be jointly identified and implemented by both countries.
“China has decided to provide a RMB 200 million grant to support projects to be jointly identified and implemented by both sides,” Yu stated.
On energy cooperation, he identified the power sector, particularly renewable energy, as a major area for future collaboration.
“Reliable electricity supply remains critical to industrialisation,” he said. “China is ready to support Nigeria’s efforts to expand electricity generation and renewable energy capacity.”
Yu also stressed the importance of developing Nigeria’s manufacturing sector to support economic growth and job creation.
He further encouraged Nigeria to consider joining the Global Artificial Intelligence Organisation, noting that membership would provide opportunities for artificial intelligence research, training, capacity building and the establishment of AI laboratories.
In his remarks, Ambassador Ahmed expressed appreciation for China’s continued support to Nigeria and Africa and reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the Nigeria-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
“We must translate the strong political relationship between our two countries into tangible economic benefits through increased trade and investment, technology transfer and mutually beneficial development projects,” he said.
The Permanent Secretary reaffirmed Nigeria’s adherence to the One-China Policy and called for stronger economic cooperation in sectors critical to the country’s development.
“The Federal Government remains committed to creating an enabling environment for investors,” Ahmed said, encouraging greater Chinese investment in manufacturing, energy and other priority sectors.
He also highlighted opportunities in Nigeria’s mining sector, citing ongoing reforms and the country’s vast solid mineral resources as areas with significant investment potential.
On security cooperation, Ahmed commended China’s contributions to peacekeeping, counter-terrorism and conflict resolution efforts and called for deeper collaboration.
“There is a need for greater exchanges in security expertise, technology and capacity building, including cooperation in the deployment of drones and other relevant technologies,” he said.
He added that enhanced security cooperation would strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to tackle terrorism and other emerging threats.
Responding, Ambassador Yu reaffirmed China’s readiness to deepen security cooperation with Nigeria while identifying manufacturing and power development as sectors with strong prospects for expanded partnership.
The meeting also reviewed cooperation in agriculture, transportation, digital technology and infrastructure development, while both sides agreed to sustain consultations on key areas of mutual interest.
The two countries further agreed to follow up on the proposed RMB 200 million grant, promote Nigerian exports to China under the zero-tariff arrangement, strengthen security collaboration and encourage increased Chinese investment in Nigeria’s priority sectors.
The meeting reaffirmed the growing Nigeria-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and both sides expressed commitment to translating the relationship into concrete economic and developmental outcomes.