The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, said the Nigeria-China relationship will help deliver stable, reliable energy for the country.
Tegbe made this statement on Wednesday night in Abuja during an event celebrating the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, which shares its October 1st National Day with Nigeria.
Tegbe said, ‘As Minister of Power, I see particular promise in deeper cooperation on achieving reliable electricity, renewable energy, and the manufacture of power equipment in Nigeria through 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 said the anniversary provides an opportunity to reflect on the deep ties between the two nations.
Tegbe said, ‘Across successive administrations in both countries, we have sustained this friendship. Nigeria appreciates China’s contribution through investment, financing, and engineering to landmark projects such as the Lekki Deep Sea Port, railway modernisation, and the Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Station, among many others. We equally value our cooperation in healthcare, people-to-people exchanges, and technical trade.’
He further commended China’s zero-tariff program for Nigerian producers and reaffirmed Nigeria’s steadfast commitment to the One-China policy, recognising the government of the People’s Republic of China as the sole legal representative of all China.
Meanwhile, the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic reforms, saying they have boosted Nigeria’s economic recovery and created optimal conditions for deeper cooperation.
Yu, in his welcome remarks, said, ‘We highly commend President Tinubu’s structural reforms, macroeconomic stabilisation, and business environment enhancements, which have boosted Nigeria’s economic recovery and created optimal conditions for deeper cooperation.’
On Nigeria-China bilateral relations, Ambassador Yu said recent agreements on economic partnerships and aquatic exports have provided strong institutional support for trade expansion.
He revealed, ‘In the first half of this year, our bilateral trade reached $18 billion-up by 35%-with Chinese imports from Nigeria surging by 81%.’
Highlighting future prospects, Ambassador Yu emphasised that China is ready to align its 15th Five-Year Plan with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda across industrialisation, digital, green, and blue economies.
‘Our future cooperation holds boundless potential,’ he added. ‘We also invite Nigeria to join the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation to share in global tech development. 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.’
Reflecting on his two years in the country, the envoy commended the Nigerian spirit: ‘Over these two years, I have travelled across Nigeria’s bustling cities and rural heartlands, meeting many new friends. I’ve come to appreciate even more deeply the Nigerian people’s resilient, optimistic, and self-reliant ‘Naija spirit.’ Their determined drive to seize new opportunities amid change and open new horizons through hard work fills me with heartfelt admiration.’
Celebrating 55 years of diplomatic ties, Yu noted that both nations have grown closer through mutual respect and shared success. ‘Under the strategic leadership of President Xi Jinping and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, our relationship has entered the fast lane,’ he said.
On China’s ongoing growth, Yu stated, ‘To embrace China is to embrace the future, and to walk with China is to walk with opportunities. This year marks the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC). The CPC Central Committee introduced Xi Jinping Thought on Party Building, systematically answering how to build a long-term governing Marxist party. This offers invaluable insights for Global South nations exploring their own development paths.’
Despite global economic challenges, Yu said China’s GDP grew 4.7% in the first half of the year, driven by emerging tech sectors like AI, robotics, and innovative pharmaceuticals. He further highlighted global initiatives led by Beijing, such as the World Data Organisation and the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation, as well as the implementation of zero-tariff treatment for 53 African countries, which boosted Chinese imports from Africa by 24% in May and June