RismadarVoice Reporters
September 24, 2026
The Federal Government of Nigeria says deeper energy cooperation with China could help Nigeria improve electricity reliability, expand renewable energy and strengthen local manufacturing of power equipment.
Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, stated this on Wednesday night in Abuja at a reception marking the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
Tegbe said Nigeria was seeking cooperation that would go beyond infrastructure investment to include the development of Nigerian engineers and technicians, while strengthening the capacity of local businesses to operate and maintain power infrastructure.
“As Minister of Power, I see particular promise in deeper cooperation on achieving reliable electricity, renewable energy, and manufacture of power equipment in Nigeria through our cooperation with China,” Tegbe said.
He added that the benefits would be greater if investments also developed Nigerian technical expertise and strengthened domestic enterprises.
The minister said relations between Nigeria and China had evolved from diplomatic ties into a broad partnership spanning infrastructure, healthcare, technical exchanges, trade and investment.
Nigeria and China established diplomatic relations on February 10, 1971, while their relationship was elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnership by President Bola Tinubu and Chinese President Xi Jinping in September 2024.
Tegbe cited the Lekki Deep Seaport, railway modernisation and Zungeru Hydropower Station among major projects that had benefited from Chinese investment, financing and engineering involvement.
He also highlighted China’s development in manufacturing, science, high-speed rail and clean energy, describing the country’s transformation as significant.
On trade, Tegbe said bilateral trade stood at about $28 billion at the end of 2025 and had reached about $17 billion in the first half of 2026.
He said Nigeria’s priority should be to translate growing trade ties into increased domestic production and exports to China.
“Our shared task is to translate that access into stronger Nigerian production and Nigerian exports to China, with benefits that will endure both economies,” he said.
Tegbe also reaffirmed Nigeria’s adherence to the one-China principle.
Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, said relations between the two countries had entered what he described as “the fast lane” under Presidents Xi and Tinubu.
Dunhai said bilateral trade reached $18 billion in the first half of 2026, representing a 35 per cent increase, while Chinese imports from Nigeria rose by 81 per cent.
The ambassador said China was prepared to align its 15th Five-Year Plan with Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly in industrialisation and the digital, green and blue economies.
“Our future cooperation holds boundless potential. China stands ready to align its 15th Five-Year Plan with President Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope’ Agenda across industrialisation, digital, green, and blue economies,” he said.
Dunhai also invited Nigeria to join the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation, saying participation could strengthen the country’s involvement in global technology development.
He said China’s zero-tariff treatment for 53 African countries, which began on May 1, had contributed to increased Chinese imports from the continent.
The ambassador called for deeper Nigeria-China cooperation in innovation, trade and development as both countries mark 55 years of diplomatic relations.
