Abuja, Nigeria — The Federal Government of Nigeria has called on China to ease trade restrictions and strengthen economic collaboration to drive industrialization and diversification.
This appeal was made by Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, during a meeting with the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, in Abuja.
Highlighting over five decades of diplomatic relations, Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu urged China to extend tariff exemptions granted to other African nations to Nigeria. She reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to economic diversification under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“The foundation of Nigeria’s economic future lies in diversification,” she stated. “We seek China’s partnership in areas critical to industrial growth, including electric vehicle assembly, digital infrastructure expansion, renewable energy, and agriculture.”
Recognizing China’s pivotal role in Nigeria’s infrastructure development, particularly in roads, railways, and power sector improvements which the Minister emphasized the need to modernize ports to enhance investment opportunities.
On cultural diplomacy, she stressed Nigeria’s commitment to deepening educational ties, with plans for more universities to integrate Chinese language studies into their curricula.
In response, Ambassador Yu Dunhai reaffirmed China’s dedication to strengthening bilateral relations, noting Nigeria’s strategic significance in Africa. He acknowledged President Tinubu’s engagement in the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) as a major boost to diplomatic ties.
Yu highlighted that trade between both nations surpassed $21 billion last year, with Nigeria’s exports to China rising by over 25%. He also pointed to the renewed $2 billion currency swap agreement as a step toward greater financial cooperation.
China further expressed support for Nigeria’s inclusion in the G-20 and reiterated its commitment to fostering mutually beneficial partnerships without imposing restrictive conditions on African nations.
The meeting reinforced both countries’ shared vision of advancing economic cooperation to drive sustainable development.
By Taiwo Olatinwo |February 20th, 2025
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