Author: user user

The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic reforms, stating that they have boosted Nigeria’s economic recovery and created optimal conditions for deeper cooperation.

Yu made this statement on Wednesday 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.

Speaking at the evening reception, Ambassador Yu 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.’

Addressing Nigeria-China bilateral relations, Ambassador Yu noted that 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 affirmed that China’s GDP grew by 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.

Speaking at the event, Joseph Tegbe, Director-General of the Nigeria-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and Minister of Power, said the anniversary offers 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.

Also speaking at the event, Yusuf Dantalle, National Chairman of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), urged Nigerians to emulate the Chinese commitment to national development.

Dantalle noted, ‘What Nigeria can take away from China, first and foremost, is sacrifice. You don’t just reap immediately after planting. China did not reach its current position by chance-they sacrificed, took pain, defeated corruption, maintained political stability, and did not allow personal interests to suppress the public good. It is about community, nationalism, and believing that we can build a better future together.’

He concluded by praising China’s contribution to the global economy and supporting sustained diplomatic and economic ties.

Nigeria and the United States have taken a major step towards deepening bilateral economic ties by signing a landmark mineral investment agreement to unlock Nigeria’s estimated $700 billion solid minerals potential.

The agreement was signed at Nigeria’s Mission House in New York on Wednesday by Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, and the United States Deputy Secretary of State, Christopher Landau.

The new framework establishes a government-to-government foundation to drive business-to-business transactions, accelerate exploration, upgrade geological data, and expand technical capacity and local processing infrastructure across Nigeria’s mining sector.

A statement by the Special Adviser to Nigeria’s Solid Minerals Development Minister, Kehinde Bamigbetan, in Abuja on Thursday said Alake framed the pact as a long-term economic catalyst for Nigeria rather than a standard commercial deal.

‘Some agreements manage the present, and some agreements shape the future. The framework we sign today belongs to the second kind,’ Alake said. ‘In signing this Framework, Nigeria and the United States affirm a shared conviction: that the supply chains for these critical minerals must be secure, resilient, and built on responsible investment.’

Alake emphasised that Nigeria intends to move beyond being a mere exporter of unprocessed raw materials, stressing local capacity building as a central pillar of the agreement.

‘Let me be clear about Nigeria’s ambition. We are not here to remain a source of raw material for the values that others create. Our goal is to turn potential into lasting value at home through stronger local processing, new skills, quality jobs, and new opportunities for Nigerian businesses,’ he stated.

On next steps, the Minister said the pact’s success hinges on swift action to align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for economic diversification.

‘Now comes the harder and more important work: moving from agreement to implementation. A signature is a promise, results are the proof. In the months ahead, we will identify viable projects, mobilise investments, and build the commercial partnerships that deliver measurable benefits to our nations,’ Alake added.

Responding on behalf of the United States government, Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau described Nigeria as a critical regional power whose market size and growth trajectory merit a deep strategic partnership.

‘The signal we are sending is that the United States and Nigeria are partners,’ Landau said, pointing to recent bilateral momentum. ‘Under President Trump and President Tinubu’s leadership, the United States and Nigeria have done many things together in the last one and a half years that we’ve never done before. I think we would like to keep building on that momentum.’

Key Nigerian officials witnessed the ceremony, including Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, Engr. Yusuf Yabo; Director-General of the Mining Cadastre Office, Engr. Simon Nkom; Executive Secretary of the Solid Minerals Development Fund, Hajiya Fatima Shinkafi; and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Solid Minerals Company, Martin Imonitie.

The US delegation included senior diplomats and strategic advisors, such as Deputy Assistant Secretary for West African Affairs, Rich Michaels; Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Southern Africa, Foreign Assistance and Critical Minerals, Chris Kulukundis; Senior Policy Advisor Wyatt Toehlkeke; and Jitu Sardar.

Farmers in Ekiti State, under the aegis of the All Farmers Alliance(AFA) for President Bola Tinubu Renewed Hope Re-election 2027, have begun grassroots mobilisation for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu.

The state Coordinator, AFA, Dr Ebenezer Adebayo, stated this during the organisation’s sensitisation tour of the 16 local government areas of the state.

The tour, which began on August 24 and lasted about two weeks, ended with visits to Ilejemeje, Moba and Oye local government areas.

Adebayo said the initiative was aimed at taking information about government’s agricultural interventions to farmers at the grassroots and encouraging them to participate in the electoral process.

He urged farmers to explore opportunities provided through the Bank of Agriculture and other relevant government platforms, saying access to finance and agricultural inputs could help expand production and improve livelihoods.

Adebayo called on local government coordinators of the organisation to remain active and transparent in mobilising farmers for President Tinubu ahead of the elections.

He listed agricultural interventions, infrastructure development and economic reforms among the policies of the Tinubu administration that AFA was highlighting during its grassroots sensitisation.

Director, Agriculture and Cooperatives, AFA, Alagbada Adebola, also highlighted some Federal Government’s projects and interventions in Ekiti.

Adebola cited the establishment of a military barracks in Ikere-Ekiti, inauguration of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Zonal Directorate Office Complex in Ado-Ekiti and the 1.2-kilometre Okeyinmi flyover during Tinubu’s June visit to the state.

The chairman of the local government coordinators, Elder Olorunfemi Solomon, commended the state executive for taking the campaign to the grassroots.

Solomon urged farmers to explore available agricultural support programmes and encouraged eligible residents to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards and participate in the 2027 elections.

The AFA Women Leader, Akinwande Oluwakemi, urged women to remain active in agriculture and community development, while the Youth Leader, Dada Feyisayo, encouraged young people to embrace agriculture as a business and explore opportunities in the sector.

The Deputy Chairman representing the Central Senatorial District, Lawal Kehinde, urged the coordinators to maintain transparency in their dealings with ward coordinators and members.

Similarly, the Deputy Chairman representing the South Senatorial District, Olusola Falaye, called for unity among members and urged them to remain committed to the organisation’s objectives ahead of the 2027 election.

The Federal Government has intensified its drive to eradicate poverty nationwide, calling on state governments, traditional rulers, community leaders, and the private sector to collaborate under the National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy (NPRGS).

The NPRGS is a flagship presidential initiative designed to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty within 10 years through sustainable economic growth, targeted social protection, and practical skills acquisition.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Technical, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Education (TVEE), Dr Abiola Arogundade, announced the scheme’s national expansion in a statement in Abuja on Thursday, with the South-West zonal phase kicking off in Oyo State.

Highlighting the vision behind the initiative, Arogundade described the NPRGS as a cornerstone of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, emphasising the administration’s belief in the potential of young Nigerians.

‘Nigerian youths are not the problem facing the country, but the solution to its challenges,’ Arogundade stated.

Recounting the success of the initial rollout, the presidential aide recalled that the NPRGS launched its pioneer cohort in Abuja on June 30, 2025, with intensive training in cybersecurity, web development, and solar energy installation.

According to her, the Abuja phase alone attracted over 7,000 applications, demonstrating overwhelming public demand for technical and vocational empowerment.

‘Participants who arrived sceptical left with practical, marketable skills, having built their first websites and gained an understanding of digital security fundamentals, with graduates receiving laptops and certificates of completion,’ she added, describing the pioneer phase as a resounding success.

Building on that momentum, the NPRGS is expanding across all six geopolitical zones. Each zone is set to host 200 trainees in sessions lasting up to two weeks, bringing the total number of beneficiaries under this initial nationwide phase to 1,200 youths.

To maximise local impact, the skills offered in each state are tailored to meet regional market demand and trainee preferences. For the South-West zone, training in Oyo State is scheduled to begin on September 28, 2026, focusing on graphics/artificial intelligence (AI) design, make-up, fashion design, and agricultural processing (yoghurt making).

To ensure immediate self-reliance after training, every participant will receive starter tools to launch their businesses.

Dr Arogundade reiterated that the core objectives of the NPRGS extend beyond simple skill acquisition-they aim to significantly reduce unemployment, promote entrepreneurship, and drive the national mandate of lifting 100 million citizens out of poverty over the next decade.

She then urged state leadership to embrace the initiative actively as the Federal Government brings the scheme to every zone in the country.

Proventa Global Business Services Limited has commenced operations in Nigeria, offering advisory services to founder-led, family-owned and growth-stage businesses seeking to strengthen their structures, systems and decision-making processes.

The firm, founded and led by business professional Bashir Arowojobe, said it would focus on businesses dealing with operational and organisational challenges associated with expansion.

Arowojobe said some businesses reach a stage where the structures and processes that supported their early growth may no longer be adequate for further expansion.

‘Many businesses reach a point where what worked in the early years is no longer enough for the next stage,’ he said.

‘The challenge is not always a lack of ambition or opportunity. Sometimes, the business has simply outgrown the structure that got it there.’

Proventa said its services cover three main areas: Business Diagnostics, Corporate Restructuring and Management Advisory.

Under Business Diagnostics, the firm assesses areas including strategy, operations, people, finances and organisational systems to help management identify gaps and determine areas that require attention.

Its Corporate Restructuring service covers organisational structure, roles and responsibilities, reporting lines, processes, governance and operating systems.

The Management Advisory service provides founders and management teams with external advice on growth strategy, organisational challenges and business decisions.

Arowojobe said the firm’s approach is based on the view that challenges facing businesses are often linked across different functions.

‘The reality of business is that problems rarely sit neatly within one department,’ he said.

‘A growth problem can have financial implications. A financial problem can be connected to operations. An operational problem can come back to structure, governance or decision-making.’

Proventa said it is working with a multidisciplinary team that includes accountants, legal practitioners, strategists and other professionals to address business issues from different perspectives.

According to the firm, the approach allows businesses to consider financial, legal, strategic and organisational issues together rather than addressing them in isolation.

The launch comes as businesses in Nigeria, particularly small and growing enterprises, continue to deal with issues associated with expansion, operational complexity and organisational development.

Proventa said it also aims to help businesses reduce excessive dependence on founders by establishing clearer responsibilities, stronger internal systems and more structured decision-making processes.

The firm said its focus would be on supporting businesses as they transition from founder-driven operations to more structured organisations capable of managing growth beyond their early stages.