The Federal Government has appealed to China to ‘remove trade tariff for Nigeria as it had to 33 other African nations’, ‘In hopes of deepening economic cooperation and boosting trade in areas critical to Nigeria’s development goals’.
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, made the appeal during a courtesy visit by the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, at the Minister’s office in Abuja.
This was contained in a statement by the minister’s media aide, Magnus Eze, on Thursday.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu highlighted Nigeria’s longstanding relationship with China, which spans over five decades, and emphasised that the current administration under President Bola Tinubu is prioritising economic diversification as part of its ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’.
According to the statement, the minister pointed out several key sectors where Nigeria seeks China’s expertise, including the establishment of electric vehicle plants, digital communication, renewable energy, and agriculture.
She also acknowledged China’s significant contributions to Nigeria’s road and rail infrastructure development.
In addition to industrialisation, the minister expressed the country’s commitment to improving its power sector and modernising its ports to create a conducive environment for investment.
She also emphasised the importance of expanding cultural ties, noting an increasing interest among Nigerian youth in learning the Chinese language, which has become central to global trade.
‘It’s quite interesting that a large population of Nigerian youth is inching towards Chinese Language’. A lot of Nigerian universities are desirous to offer Chinese language. Chinese had become the language of trade in the world.
Nigeria-China will continue to relate not just bilaterally but multilaterally. We expect that we will continue to get the support of China, but we will always reciprocate that multilaterally.
‘In line with President Tinubu’s plan to industrialise Nigeria, we expect Chinese cooperation in establishing assembly plants of electric vehicles; digital communication, renewable energy, all aspects of digital technology, and agriculture because of food insecurity as the government is interested in seeing that food gets to the poorest of the poor. Government is not just talking about food but has established a separate Ministry of Livestock’, the minister was quoted in the statement.
In response, Dunhai expressed his country’s desire to further deepen its partnership with Nigeria.
He praised Nigeria as a strategic partner and acknowledged President Tinubu’s recent visit to China and his participation in the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, which he said had taken the bilateral relationship to new heights.
Dunhai pointed out that Nigeria and China are cooperating in several key areas, including road development, railway modernisation, energy, and port infrastructure
He also revealed that trade between the two countries had exceeded $21 billion last year, with Nigerian exports to China rising by over 25 per cent.
Highlighting the importance of manufacturing for industrialisation, the Ambassador noted that the recent renewal of a $2 billion currency swap agreement would strengthen economic ties and promote greater bilateral trade And investment.
Dunhai further emphasised China’s support for Nigeria’s aspirations on the global stage, expressing hope that Nigeria would become a member of the G-20.
He reiterated China’s consistent policy of offering grants to African nations without imposing conditions, adding that both countries are committed to reviewing their cooperation to ensure it benefits their people.
The envoy noted, We have a comprehensive strategic partnership with Nigeria. China would want Nigeria to play a big role in the international scene. We want Nigeria to become a member of the G-20. These will all provide an opportunity for China and Nigeria to further work together closely.
‘For China, we have been very consistent. We give grants to any African countries; we don’t give any conditions’.
