Scholars at Modibbo Adama University (MAU), Yola, have called for a more strategic Nigeria-China partnership focused on technology and knowledge transfer to accelerate local manufacturing, skills development and economic growth in Nigeria.
The call was made during a seminar organised by the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) in collaboration with Contemporary World Nigeria Magazine.
The event, themed ‘Bridging Africa-China Dialogue Through Scholarly Exchange,’ formed part of IPCR’s Advancing Knowledge Exchange Seminar Series across Africa.
Speaking at the seminar, Iliya Audu, a Professor, and deputy vice-chancellor (Academics), commended the organisers for creating a platform for intellectual engagement on issues affecting Nigeria, Africa and the global community.
He said that scholarly exchanges should go beyond academic discussions and contribute practical solutions to challenges such as climate change, food insecurity and international conflicts.
Delivering the keynote address, Ubale Jibrin, an assistant professor of International Relations, described knowledge diplomacy as a powerful instrument for deepening Africa-China relations.
He stressed the need for stronger collaboration in higher education, research, innovation and academic mobility to address common development challenges.
Jibrin noted that future partnerships should be based on mutual benefit and equity, enabling African institutions to move beyond being consumers of knowledge to becoming active contributors to global research and sustainable development.
He said joint research efforts could provide solutions in critical sectors such as public health, agriculture and environmental sustainability.
Abraham Okolo, former deputy vice-chancellor of MAU, challenged Nigeria to focus on building its own technological capacity through research, industrialisation and practical skills acquisition.
He argued that technological advancement would not come solely through dependence on foreign nations, urging the government to establish training centres across the country’s geopolitical zones to equip young graduates with productive skills.
Okolo also proposed short-term technical training programmes in China for Nigerian graduates, saying such initiatives would expose young professionals to modern technologies and enable them to contribute meaningfully to local industries upon their return.
Also speaking, the Head of the Department of Political Science, Madi Abba, acknowledged China’s contribution to infrastructure and development across Africa but stressed that Nigeria must negotiate partnerships that prioritise technology acquisition, local production and skills transfer.
He further advocated the establishment of skills-training centres to tackle youth unemployment and strengthen the country’s industrial base.
On her part, the Head of the Adamawa State Peace Commission, Jamila Suleiman, urged African scholars and policymakers not to be discouraged by the existing power imbalance between Africa and China. Instead, she called for the creation of strategic partnerships capable of fostering mutual growth, innovation and sustainable development.
Representing the Director-General of IPCR, Joseph Ochogwu, Olalekan Babatunde said that Nigeria must adopt more strategic approaches in its bilateral and multilateral relations to maximise the benefits of international cooperation.
He explained that Contemporary World Nigeria Magazine was established to promote scholarly dialogue among African, Chinese and global researchers while encouraging policy-oriented research that addresses pressing challenges such as insecurity, climate change, public health and youth unemployment.
The seminar attracted academics, journalists and civil society representatives from different institutions. A major highlight of the event was the presentation of copies of Contemporary World Nigeria Magazine to the management of Modibbo Adama University, Yola.