Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has called on China to eliminate trade tariffs on Nigerian exports, aligning with concessions already granted to other African nations.
The appeal aligns with Nigeria’s broader economic diversification strategy, particularly in fostering industrialisation and strengthening trade relations.
Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu appealed during a courtesy visit by the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, at her office in Abuja. The discussions centred on enhancing bilateral economic cooperation and ensuring a mutually beneficial trade framework.
It was a great pleasure to meet with H.E. Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Honourable Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Nigeria @Ojukwu_Bianca again and had a fruitful conversation.
We both believe that with efforts of both sides, the Belt and Road Initiative can be… pic.twitter.com/a76kgcvGyk— Yu Dunhai (@YDunhai) February 18, 2025
Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu also stated that Nigeria has had a robust relationship with China spanning over five decades, noting that the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu prioritises the diversification and strengthening of the nation’s economy.
“In line with President Tinubu’s plan to industrialise Nigeria, we expect Chinese cooperation in establishing assembly plants for 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. The government is not just talking about food but has established a separate Ministry of Livestock,” the minister stated.
Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu highlighted the President’s commitment to a strategic partnership with China, mentioning the establishment of electric vehicle plants, digital communication, renewable energy, all aspects of digital technology, and agriculture as major areas in Nigeria that needed Chinese support.
The minister, while acknowledging China’s contribution to the development of road and rail infrastructure in Nigeria, said the country was taking tangible steps to improve its power sector and also modernise the ports, emphasising that all these will enable investments.
The minister further expressed Nigeria’s resolve to expand cultural relations with China even as she pointed out that many Nigerian youth were inclined to learn the Chinese language.
“It’s quite interesting that a large population of Nigerian youth is inching towards the Chinese language. A lot of Nigerian universities are desirous to offer the Chinese language. Chinese had become the language of trade in the world. Nigeria-China will continue to relate not just bilaterally but multilaterally.”
Speaking earlier, the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, explained that Nigeria-China relations are a relationship that his country hopes to continue to grow and expand.
He stressed that President Tinubu’s first official visit to China and participation in the Forum of China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) took the relationship between both countries to greater heights.
The envoy said that the two countries were cooperating in several areas, including road development, railway modernisation, power, industrial parks, Lekki Sea Port, and a lot more.
Noting that the volume of trade between Nigeria and China surpassed $21 billion last year, while Nigeria’s export to the country exceeded 25%.
“Manufacturing is central to industrialisation. And the recently renewed $2 billion currency swap in the area of financial cooperation would strengthen cooperation and promote bilateral trade and investment between both countries.“
Ambassador Dunhai added that the progressive efforts between the two countries will benefit the ordinary people.
“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 opportunities 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.”
He emphasised that it was important that the two countries meet to review how far they have progressed in their bilateral cooperation.
While describing Nigeria as a great country that had remained a strategic partner to China.
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