China imported $2.3b Nigerian goods in six months, says envoy

China’s imports from Nigeria in the half year of 2026 (H1 2026) stood at $2.3 billion, representing about 80 per cent increase over the corresponding period in 2025. Cumulatively, the total bilateral trade between Nigeria and China rose to $18 billion, representing a 75 per cent year-on-year increase.

This was made know by the Chargé d’Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, Zhou Hongyou, yesterday at the Nigeria-China Food Festival held at the China Cultural Centre in Abuja.

According to him, the growth demonstrated the expanding economic relationship between the two countries, while China’s zero-tariff policy for African countries with diplomatic relations with Beijing offered Nigeria an opportunity to further increase its exports. ‘This is a great chance for Nigeria to expand exports to China,’ Zhou said.

He said: ‘This year marks the 55th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Nigeria.

‘For more than 50 years, our two countries have always respected and supported each other, and we have continued to deepen our mutually beneficial cooperation. Under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Tinubu, our comprehensive strategic partnership has gained strong momentum, entering a ‘fast track’ of high-quality development.

‘Take economic and trade cooperation, for example: in the first half of this year, China imported about $2.3 billion worth of goods from Nigeria-an 80% increase compared to the same period last year. Our total trade reached $18 billion, up 35% year-on-year.’

‘On May 1st, China announced a zero-tariff policy for African countries that have diplomatic ties with us. This is a great chance for Nigeria to expand its exports to China. We hope to reach an agreement on the ‘early harvest’ arrangements for this policy as soon as possible, so that both our peoples can benefit more.’

Speaking on the food festival, the envoy said it provided more than an opportunity to taste different cuisines, describing it as a platform for Nigerians and Chinese to understand each other’s history, culture and way of life.

‘Today we are bringing Chinese and Nigerian cuisines together. It is not just a feast for our taste buds, but it is also a conversation and a meeting of all cultures,’ he said.

Zhou noted that 2026 marked the 55th anniversary of formal diplomatic relations between Nigeria and China, adding that the relationship had expanded over the years to cover trade, education, culture, technology and people-to-people exchanges.

He called for stronger exchanges in education, the arts, schools and youth affairs to consolidate the relationship and ensure that the friendship between both countries was sustained across generations.

‘Through deeper exchanges in education, culture, the arts, schools, and youth affairs, China and Nigeria can strengthen people-to-people connections and pass on friendship to the next generation,’ Zhou said.

The Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, who was represented at the event by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Abdulkarim Ibrahim, said the festival highlighted the economic potential of Nigeria’s culinary heritage.

He described food as an important component of cultural identity and a potential driver of tourism and job creation.

‘Food does not merely nourish the body. It tells stories, preserves heritage, creates livelihood, and brings people together,’ Ibrahim said.

He said the Federal Government had identified food and beverages as the largest subsector of Nigeria’s tourism economy, stressing the growing importance of gastronomy to domestic tourism.

‘Gastronomy is tourism. Nigeria’s recent tourism and creative industry market has identified food and beverages as the single largest subsector of Nigeria’s tourism economy,’ he said.

Ibrahim said all the reforms and policy and other processes put in place by the government aimed to promote tourism, attract investment and create opportunities for young Nigerians.

He called for increased Nigeria-China collaboration in gastronomy, tourism, hospitality, culinary education and creative entrepreneurship.

‘Let us use food to open new doors of cooperation in gastronomy, tourism, hospitality, cultural exchanges, culinary education, and creative entrepreneurship,’ he said.

The Director-General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), Aare Abisoye Fagade, said the festival was designed to demonstrate the connection between food, culture and economic opportunity.

Fagade said the theme, ‘From Farm to Feast,’ represented the journey from farmers and producers to chefs and consumers, while highlighting the economic value embedded in Nigeria’s culinary traditions.

‘Today’s celebration is about food, but it’s also about culture, friendship, and opportunity,’ he said.

He said Nigeria possessed a rich culinary heritage capable of supporting a globally competitive food tourism industry if properly developed and commercialised.

‘Our task is to package, standardise, promote, and commercialise this heritage while preserving the authenticity,’ Fagade said.

Also speaking, the Director-General and Artistic Director/CEO of the National Troupe of Nigeria, Hajia Kaltume Bulama Gana, said cultural collaboration between Nigeria and China could deepen mutual understanding and respect.

She highlighted a joint performance by Nigerian and Chinese artistes, which combined traditional Nigerian drums with Chinese percussion instruments, as an example of how cultural diplomacy could bring the two peoples closer.

‘For the first time, the National Troupe has come into this partnership where there is a joint performance of the National Troupe of Nigeria performing with the Chinese percussion and our own indigenous drums,’ Gana said.

She expressed hope that the collaboration would expand to reciprocal cultural performances, including opportunities for Nigerian artistes to perform in China.

Former NIHOTOUR Director-General, Munzali Dantata, also called for stronger Nigeria-China cooperation, particularly in education and cultural exchanges.

Dantata, who recalled studying in Beijing about four decades ago, said China’s transformation over the years demonstrated the value of sustained investment in education, development and international cooperation.

‘See how, within 30 years, the country has changed,’ he said.

The festival featured 14 Chinese dishes from seven regions of China alongside traditional Nigerian cuisines representing the country’s six geopolitical zones.

Nigerian dishes on display included jollof rice, pounded yam, tuwon shinkafa, masa, fura da nono, amala, Ofada rice, abacha and ugba, and eba with edikang-ikong soup.

Metering: Kaduna communities urge Kaduna Electric to halt exercise, allow Court to decide

Residents of Millennium City in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State have called on Kaduna Electric to suspend the proposed replacement of existing electricity meters pending the determination of a case already before the court.

The Chairman of the Ministerial Plot Housing Estate Residents Associations (MPHERA), Shafik Muazu Shira, made the plea on behalf of all four communities on Friday.

He said they were not opposed to Kaduna Electric’s proposed metering exercise, but that such should be properly done according to the laid-down rules.

‘We are really concerned about the manner in which the proposed meter replacement was being carried out.

He said they remained law-abiding citizens and had established an Electricity Committee to promote the integrity of the electricity supply system while protecting the interests of both consumers and Kaduna Electric.

According to him, the matter is already before the court, and the electricity distribution company should allow the judicial process to run its course instead of taking further actions that could complicate the issues at hand.

Shira also expressed concern over a recent disconnection notice, questioning the basis for threatening to disconnect an entire community over objections to a disputed metering exercise.

He argued that refusal to accept a particular DISREP meter should not automatically lead to the disconnection of an entire community, stressing the need for compliance with the applicable Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) Customer Protection Regulations.

The chairman also raised concerns over the proposed installation of meters on electricity poles, saying such installations must comply with relevant NERC and Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) regulations and respect the rights of electricity consumers.

He noted that NEMSA had already conducted a technical verification exercise on meters within the affected estates and identified some meters that required replacement or further action.

The chairman maintained that the exercise did not amount to a blanket approval for Kaduna Electric to replace all existing meters, urging the company to abide by NEMSA’s technical recommendations.

He also sought clarification on the status of existing Meter Asset Provider (MAP) meters purchased by residents, particularly outstanding energy-credit reimbursements and the implications of replacing such meters on the entitlements of affected consumers.

‘We support Kaduna Electric, proper metering and protection of the company’s revenue, but actions must be carried out in accordance with the law.

He recalled that for nearly a decade, residents and community structures in Millennium City had cooperated with Kaduna Electric and provided support and infrastructure that facilitated electricity distribution within the communities.

Diphtheria: Kano gov’t disputes claim of 50 deaths, says only 2 recorded in Rano

The Kano State Government has refuted claims by a lawmaker that 50 children died from diphtheria outbreak in Rano Local Government Area, insisting that only two deaths have been confirmed so far in 2026.

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ýThe member representing Rano Constituency, Ibrahim Muhammad, had alleged that diphtheria claimed the lives of 50 children in the area.

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But the Director-General of the Kano State Centre for Disease Control (KNCDC), Professor Muhammad Adamu Abbas, in a statement on Friday, described the claim as ‘unverified and misleading.’

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ýProfessor Abbas explained that while diphtheria remains a serious public health challenge in the state, surveillance records do not support the figures being circulated.

He disclosed that between July 2023 and August 2026, Rano recorded 32 cases of diphtheria, with 29 deaths statewide, but only two deaths in Rano itself.

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ýAccording to him, 25 patients were treated at the Diphtheria Treatment Centre in Rano General Hospital, while seven others received care at the Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH) in Kano.

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He added that 94 per cent of those affected had not been vaccinated, and 91 per cent presented late for treatment.

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ýThe KNCDC boss expressed concern over delays in reporting suspected cases, stressing that early detection and treatment are critical to saving lives.

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He criticised the lawmaker for making public statements without consulting health authorities, noting that similar unverified claims were made in October 2025.

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ýProfessor Abbas further revealed that KNCDC teams deployed to communities mentioned by the lawmaker could not verify the alleged deaths, despite engaging with residents and surveillance structures such as traditional leaders, Disease Surveillance Officers, and community informants.

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He questioned how 50 deaths could occur without being reported through these established channels.

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ýHe said efforts to meet with the lawmaker to obtain firsthand information had so far been unsuccessful, but assured that the centre remained committed to investigating any credible leads, including conducting verbal autopsies where necessary.

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ýThe KNCDC Director-General commended both the Kano State Government and the Federal Government for their continued support in disease surveillance and outbreak response.

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He reaffirmed the centre’s commitment to strengthening surveillance, ensuring rapid response, and working with stakeholders to prevent and control disease outbreaks across the state.

Lagos family protests monarch’s installation

The Adegoroye Ruling House of Ise Kingdom in Lekki Local Council Development Area, Lagos State has protested the installation of Mr. Ibrahim Adebowale Saliu as the Onise of Ise, alleging that the exercise violated an order of the state High Court.

The family, who protested at the House of Assembly, submitted a copy of the court order to the authorities, seeking government’s intervention in the dispute.

The protesters claimed that Saliu was installed last Friday, despite the order restraining the state government.

They said the case was instituted by Prince Wasiu Gbadebo Adenupebi Adegoroye and Adegoroye Ruling House following the death of Oba Ganiyu Adegbesan over who succeeds the monarch.

Adegoroye said the family rejected Saliu’s emergence, alleging that he did not undergo the traditional selection.

‘We don’t want him as our Oba because he didn’t pass through the normal protocol before installation as the chosen one. We appeal to the Lagos State Government to do the needful and install the rightful king,’ he said.

Another member of the family, Prince Adefowope Adenupebi Adegoroye, alleged that Saliu had been installed as a monarch of Imedu kingdom and had celebrated his first anniversary, wondering why he came to Ise rule over them.

Also, Mr. Adeoye Oyekanmi Agbomeji of the Okunoye family alleged that Saliu was not a member of their ruling family in Ise Kingdom, claiming that he was born in Imedu Kingdom and had a palace there.

The protesters appealed to the state government to respect the court order and ensure that the rightful candidate is selected and installed in tandem with the law and tradition.

Woman docked over alleged N8m fraud

A 47-year-old woman, Mercy Nwabueze, was docked on Thursday in a Kaduna Magistrate’s Court for alleged N8 million fraud.

Nwabueze is standing trial on a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretenses and stealing.

She, however, pleaded not guilty to the offences.

The Prosecutor, Insp. Chidi Leo, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on July 22, alongside one other person still at large.

He alleged that the defendant deceived the complainants, Francis Dogo and Felicia Williams, into paying the sum on the promise of supplying bags of rice and palm oil which was never delivered.

According to him, the defendant absconded with the money and never supplied the goods.

The prosecutor said the offences contravened the Kaduna State Penal Code, 2017.

The Defense Counsel, E. T. Godwin, urged the court to grant his client bail, assuring the court that the defendant would not jump bail or interfere with the trial. NAN

The Magistrate, Ibrahim Emmanuel, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N1 million with two sureties in like sum.

Emmanuel ordered that the sureties must present evidence of three years tax payment to the state government.

He adjourned the case until Sept. 22 for hearing.(NAN)

Akure group lauds Tinubu, Pate on FUTATH crisis resolution

The Akure Businessmen and Professionals Roundtable (ABPR) has lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, through the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, on the resolution of the labour crisis which engulfed the Federal University Teaching Hospital (FUTATH).

This is coming on the suspension of the industrial action embarked upon by organised labour in the university.

It will be recalled that an industrial crisis by the Ondo state organised labour unions which engulfed FUTATH, which was called off yesterday, had grossly affected the teaching hospital, causing untold hardships to patients, students and apprehension to its host community and residents of Ondo State in general.

In a release issued by Dr. Olufemi Oyinsan, ABPR acknowledged Prof Pate’s patriotic interventions towards the suspension of the strike action, and his commitment to the Renewed Hope agenda of the Federal Government in the health sector, especially President Tinubu’s fulfillment of his promise of the teaching hospital project to the Akure patriarch, Dr. Reuben Fasoranti.

ABPR also described as ’empty threats’ boasts from some quarters, which it said were against the president’s vision for Akure people, that any individual could withdraw the Akure General Hospital project from the Federal Government.

‘ABPR welcomes the recent intervention by Prof Pate to restore normalcy of operation in FUTATH, in fulfillment of the Renewed Hope agenda. The unfortunate and unwarranted crisis created by the Ondo State Organised Labour Unions truncated this laudable Tinubu project at the newly established teaching hospital,’ the release said.

While expressing ‘complete solidarity’ with the Ondo State health workers agitating for absorption into the FUTA Teaching Hospital, the statement also expressed its pleasure that, following the minister’s intervention, the Federal Ministry of Health has begun taking steps to obtain approval of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation to widen the authorized takeoff establishment of the hospital, to accommodate additional staff from the old UNIMED Teaching Hospital.

It called on the Lucky Aiyedatiwa government to strengthen its health delivery by expanding the Akure Mother and Child Hospital and build additional hospitals to replace the Akure General Hospital handed over to the FG.

ABPR however expressed what it called ‘our deep disappointment’ at the lukewarm posture of the Ondo State Government and some highly-placed persons in the state capital to the labour crisis, which it said gave room for its festering and closure of the public hospital for such a long time, with its attendant effects on its hapless patients.

‘Without a doubt, this unfortunate shutdown of the hospital must have had grave human and colossal economic consequences. For many residents, especially the low-income families, who cannot afford private care, the hospital is the only realistic source of emergency treatment, maternal and child health services, and chronic-care follow-up and they had been denied access to these services for this long,’ it said.

The group further noted that engagement with the FG through the Coordinating Minister by the Ondo State Government to resolve staffing and service concerns could have have been initiated as the first move much earlier, without recourse to what it called ‘this costly misadventure.’

In its words, ‘negotiations and advocacy are necessary and legitimate, but they must never come at the cost of patients’ lives and wellbeing. Responsible governance and labour unionism need not cost human lives and dire economic consequences as it has, in this case, for disputes to be resolved.’

While urging labour leaders to henceforth adopt enlightened dispute-resolution methods that protect essential services and to commit to avoiding future actions that endanger public health, ABPR urged FG and the Coordinating Minister to continue with the promised support, particularly the resources needed to restore full capacity to the hospital

‘Our community must not be placed in a position where healthcare access would depend on the whims and caprices of a few individuals’ ABPR said.

ASUP Seeks Probe Into Alleged N1.3bn Unremitted Pension Deductions at Mubi Poly

Academic Staff Union Of Polytechnics (ASUP) of the Federal Polytechnic Mubi chapter, Adamawa State, has urged the Federal Government to constitute panel to investigate alleged non-remittance of staff pension contributions by the institution’s management.

Chairman of the Union, Comrade Kadala Solomon Bandi, made the call at a press conference held in Mubi on Thursday, where he demanded forensic audit and constitution of verification panel by the Federal Ministry of Education and National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to look in to the pension issue.

Bandi, who stressed the need for urgent intervention, lamented that the non-remittance of staff pension contributions had spanned up to ten years under successive administrations of the institution.

He stated that the failure to remit pension deductions to the Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) and the National Pension Commission (PenCom) constituted a violation of the Pension Reform Act 2014.

Lagos APC ready for presidential election campaign

As the All Progressives Congress (APC) commenced the 2027 presidential election campaign, Lagos stands ready and well equipped for the task of providing the necessary grassroots mobilisation and electoral strength for the victory of the party in the elections.

The State chapter of the party has energized its structures and mobilized its members in readiness for the election which President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is contesting alongside the candidates of the opposition parties. It has continued to consolidate its structures and deepened grassroots engagement across the state.

Under the able leadership of Hon. Cornelius Ojelabi, the party has sustained ward-level meetings and stakeholder engagements across its 20 Local Government and 37 Local Council Development Areas. Women organizations, youth groups, market associations, community leaders, artisans and other critical stakeholders have also been actively engaged and continually patronized to give them a sense of belonging.

In Lagos, the party will have no problem moving along with the people as the evidence of development is visible and measurable. From the operational Lagos Blue Rail Line to the Red Rail Line to the continued road construction and rehabilitation, urban renewal, human capital development and other people-friendly programs, the state has continued to witness significant investment and visible progress.

At the federal level, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope administration has pursued bold economic reforms aimed at repositioning Nigeria’s economy and addressing long-standing structural challenges.

The removal of fuel subsidy, foreign exchange reforms, and broader fiscal restructuring have been complemented by large-scale investments in infrastructure, transportation, education, healthcare, agriculture, and social development. The government’s infrastructure drive across six geopolitical zones is a strategy for strengthening national integration and economic connectivity.

The 1,068 km Superhighway; 750 km Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road; 114.5 km Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode Road; 465 km Calabar-Abuja Superhighway; 700 km Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe-Biu-Maiduguri Superhighway; and Sokoto-Gusau-Funtua-Zaria Road (275 km) are some of the roads that are linking regions and spreading development across the country.

Beyond infrastructure, the administration continues to pursue policies aimed at attracting investment, strengthening Nigeria’s global economic standing, and creating an enabling environment for businesses to grow, expand, and create jobs.

These efforts form part of the broader Renewed Hope Agenda, focused on economic reform, infrastructure expansion, human capital development, and national renewal.

The 2027 presidential election campaign therefore provides an opportunity to present these achievements to Nigerians and make a clear case for continuity.

For Lagos APC, the task is straightforward: take the message to the people. Every ward, every Local Government Area, every community, and every polling unit will be engaged. The party will communicate the record, explain the policies, and highlight the impact of APC-led governance at both state and federal levels.

The objective is not merely to campaign, but to connect governance with the people and translate political organisation into electoral strength.

With continuity in 2027, Nigerians can expect:

Consolidation of ongoing infrastructure projects across all regions

Expansion of rail, road, and transport connectivity nationwide

Strengthening of economic reforms for long-term stability

Increased investment inflows and job creation opportunities

Improved access to social services including education and healthcare

Greater integration of regional economies through strategic corridors

The commencement of the presidential campaign is, therefore, more than the opening of another election cycle. It marks the beginning of an intensified mobilisation to consolidate the gains of the APC, strengthen the Renewed Hope mandate, and secure victory in 2027.

With a strong grassroots structure, experienced leadership, and a clear record of governance achievements, Lagos APC is fully prepared for the task ahead.

From Lagos, we are ready.

The foundation is firm.

The structure is standing.

The campaign has begun.

The mobilisation has begun.

The engagement has begun.

The journey to victory has begun.

Nowoola-Akingbehin Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Lagos State APC Chairman

NUT: Nigeria’s education system collapsing

The Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) has raised the alarm over inadequate funding and poor welfare of teachers, warning that the challenges are contributing to the declining standard of education and worsening out-of-school children crisis in the country.

The union spoke on Thursday in Kano during the launch of the ‘GoPublicFund Education Campaign’, a nationwide initiative aimed at mobilising public support for increased investment in education.

Representing the NUT National President, Audu Titus Amba, at the event, the National Deputy President of the union, Elder Comrade Kizito Kalu, said Nigeria’s education funding remained below international benchmarks, making it difficult for the country to provide quality education to its growing population.

He said the campaign was aimed at drawing the attention of governments and the public to the urgent need to increase funding for the sector at the federal, state and local government levels.

He said inadequate funding had affected virtually every aspect of the education system, including infrastructure, access to learning and the welfare of teachers.

Kalu said the campaign would also focus on tackling the growing population of out-of-school children, stressing that the problem required coordinated intervention across all tiers of government.

Ogun govt continues clean-up exercise in Ogijo

In its continued effort to rid Ogijo community in Sagamu Local Government Area of Ogun State of lead contamination, the State Government, through the Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA), evacuated illegally dumped slags from affected communities.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Information and Public Relations Officer of the agency, Luke Adebesin, that the remediation exercise, which happened to be an ongoing engagement, commenced earlier in the week.

The statement said that the move was part of the State Government’s concerted efforts to address environmental concerns associated with lead contamination and other hazardous materials within the industrial town.

The evacuation of the illegally dumped slags was aimed at removing potential sources of lead contamination from the environment and reducing the risks they might pose to residents, workers and other stakeholders in the affected communities.

The exercise is known to be a major component of the State Government’s commitment to restoring the environmental integrity of Ogijo and ensuring that communities affected by industrial activities enjoy a safer and healthier environment.

Speaking on the remediation exercise, the General Manager of OGEPA, Hon. Kehinde Bello, reassured residents of Ogijo of the determination of the State Government to achieve a comprehensive clean-up of the affected areas.

Bello stated that OGEPA would continue to deploy appropriate environmental management measures to address identified sources of contamination, noting that the evacuation of the illegally dumped slags remained an important component of the ongoing remediation process.

He, therefore, urged residents and other stakeholders to support the exercise by cooperating with OGEPA officials and avoiding activities capable of further contaminating the environment, particularly the indiscriminate dumping of industrial waste and slags.

The General Manager reiterated the commitment of the Ogun State Government to sustaining the remediation exercise until the affected areas were adequately cleaned up, assuring residents that the ultimate goal was to restore Ogijo to a safe, healthy, and environmentally sustainable industrial community.