Strengthening Ties: Nigeria-China Partnership Targets Economic Growth

Director-General of the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (NCSP), Mr. Joseph Tegbe, is in China to solidify bilateral ties and advance economic and sustainable development in alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

On Monday, Tegbe, leading a Nigerian delegation, visited the headquarters of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) of the People’s Republic of China. The delegation was received by NDRC Deputy Chairman Zhao Chenxin, senior Chinese officials, members of Nigeria’s diplomatic corps, and the Chinese business community.

The visit is expected to pave the way for strategic agreements in agriculture, renewable energy, healthcare, mining, education, and technology. These collaborations align with President Tinubu’s vision to drive Nigeria’s national growth through innovation, resource optimization, and cultural exchange. Tegbe also reaffirmed Nigeria’s support for China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which promotes infrastructure connectivity and economic cooperation across continents.

Tegbe’s itinerary includes high-profile meetings with key Chinese organizations and officials. On Monday, the delegation visited the CCECC Head Office and held discussions with representatives of CHEC. Over the coming days, Tegbe will meet with leaders from the China Export-Import Bank, China Development Bank, Power China, Huawei, and other major corporations. Visits to the Yangshan Deep Sea Port, Danghai Bridge, and the CSCS Haishen Medical Facility are also planned.

These engagements aim to bolster the country’s infrastructure, enhance technology transfer, and create job opportunities, advancing the federal government’s goals of economic diversification and youth empowerment.

This initiative follows President Tinubu’s recent visit to China, ahead of the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), where he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping. During the talks, President Xi pledged 360 billion yuan (approximately $51 billion) in financing for African nations over the next three years, including support for 30 infrastructure projects.

Last week, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi also visited Nigeria to strengthen economic and security cooperation between the two nations. With the country’s positioning itself as a net exporter to China within five years, the partnership is set to play a critical role in achieving this goal.

As Africa’s largest economy, Nigeria remains a key partner for China in trade and technology investments. Tegbe’s visit underscores the federal government’s commitment to leveraging Nigeria’s human and natural resources to develop industries, enhance infrastructure, and foster youth capacity-building through skill acquisition programs.

For more updates on Nigeria-China relations and their impact on national development, visit fasnewsng.com.

By Augustine Idoje