The Federal Government has expressed optimism that stronger collaboration between Nigeria and China in the power sector will contribute to more reliable electricity, expand renewable energy development and promote the local production of power equipment.
The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, made this known on Wednesday night in Abuja at a reception organised to commemorate the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
Tegbe said the impact of growing Chinese investment would be more significant if the partnership also prioritised the development of Nigerian technical expertise and the growth of local businesses.
He said, “As Minister of Power, I see particular promise in deeper cooperation on achieving reliable electricity, renewable energy, and manufacture of power equipment in Nigeria with our cooperation with China.
“The benefits will be the greatest when investment also develops Nigerian engineers, technicians, and strengthens local enterprises and equips us to operate and maintain what we build in Nigeria.”
The minister noted that relations between Nigeria and China had evolved from diplomatic ties into a wide-ranging partnership covering infrastructure, healthcare, technical cooperation, trade and investment.
He recalled that both countries established diplomatic relations on February 10, 1971, noting that the partnership was upgraded to a comprehensive strategic partnership by President Bola Tinubu and Chinese President Xi Jinping in September 2024.
Tegbe acknowledged China’s role through investments, financing and engineering support for major Nigerian projects, including the Lekki Deep Seaport, railway modernisation and the Zungeru Hydropower Station.
The minister, who also serves as Director General of the Nigerian-China Strategic Partnership, praised China’s development trajectory, describing its transformation as extraordinary.
“China’s advancement and achievement in manufacturing, science, high-speed rail, and clean energy command significant respect.”
He also welcomed China’s zero-tariff initiative, saying it could create new opportunities for Nigerian producers and support efforts to increase the country’s exports.
Tegbe disclosed that bilateral trade between Nigeria and China stood at $28 billion at the end of last year, while transactions reached $17 billion in the first half of 2026.
He, however, stressed that the next priority should be to ensure the growth in trade translates into increased Nigerian production and exports.
“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 restated Nigeria’s commitment to the one-China principle, explaining that the Federal Government recognises the People’s Republic of China as the sole legal government representing the whole of China.
The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, said relations between the two countries had entered “the fast lane” under the strategic leadership of President Xi Jinping and President Tinubu.
Dunhai said bilateral relations had continued to expand in trade and economic cooperation, adding that recent agreements covering economic partnership and aquatic exports would provide additional institutional support for increased trade.
He disclosed that trade between both countries reached $18 billion in the first half of 2026, representing a 35 per cent rise, while Chinese imports from Nigeria increased by 81 per cent.
The ambassador said China was prepared to align its 15th Five-Year Plan with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda in areas such as industrialisation, digital transformation, as well as green and blue economies.
He said, “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.”
Dunhai also encouraged Nigeria to become part of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation, saying membership would provide an opportunity for the country to contribute to and benefits from global technological development
