China Partnership Will Deliver Reliable Power to Nigerians — FG

The Federal Government has said deeper cooperation between Nigeria and China in the power sector will help deliver more reliable electricity, expand renewable energy and promote the local manufacturing of power equipment.

The 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 increased Chinese investment in Nigeria’s power sector would have greater impact if it also focused on developing local technical capacity and strengthening Nigerian businesses.

He said cooperation with China offered particular opportunities in reliable electricity supply, renewable energy and the manufacturing of power equipment within Nigeria.

The minister stressed the importance of developing Nigerian engineers and technicians while ensuring that local enterprises acquire the skills required to operate and maintain infrastructure developed through international partnerships.

Tegbe said Nigeria and China had transformed their relationship from diplomatic friendship into a broad partnership covering infrastructure, healthcare, technical exchanges, trade and investment.

He recalled that both countries established diplomatic relations on February 10, 1971, while the relationship was elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnership by President Bola Tinubu and Chinese President Xi Jinping in September 2024.

The minister highlighted China’s contributions to major Nigerian infrastructure projects, including the Lekki Deep Seaport, railway modernisation and the Zungeru Hydropower Station.

He also welcomed China’s zero-tariff programme for African countries, saying it could create opportunities for Nigerian producers and support increased exports.

Tegbe disclosed that bilateral trade between Nigeria and China stood at $28 billion at the end of 2025, while trade reached $17 billion in the first half of 2026.

He said Nigeria’s priority should now be to translate increased access to the Chinese market into stronger domestic production and higher Nigerian exports.

Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, said relations between both countries had entered a period of accelerated cooperation.

Dunhai said China was ready to align its 15th Five-Year Plan with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda in areas including industrialisation, digital development, and the green and blue economies.

He also said China’s technological advances in areas such as artificial intelligence, digital payments and solar energy could support development efforts across Africa.

The ambassador said Nigeria and China should continue strengthening their partnership through mutual respect, economic cooperation and practical development outcomes.