Nigeria to deepen economic co-operation, sustainable development with China

…As Tegbe visits Consulate General January 20

Joseph Tegbe, director-general of the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (NCSP), will on Monday January 20, pay a courtesy visit to the Consulate General/Trade Mission Office, and the Yang Shang Deep Sea Port and Danghai Bridge (Sea).

This is part of the NCSP strategic plan to bolster China-Nigeria relations and to foster economic and sustainable development between both countries, in line with the renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Tegbe and his team are also expected at Huawei, before going to the CEC/ Long UAV, for a meeting with Diana Chen on Saturday, before returning to Nigeria.

The team visited the headquarters of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) of the People’s Republic of China and were received by the NDRC Deputy Chairman, Zhao Chenxin, and other top officials, as well as the Nigerian diplomatic community and the Chinese Business Community.

Tegbe also discussed strategic agreements in line with President Tinubu’s vision, with China for national growth and in vital sectors of the economy such as agriculture, to boost food security, alternative energy for developing renewable energy sources, healthcare, mining for harnessing of Nigeria’s mineral resources to drive economic growth, education to strengthen Nigeria institutions and promote cultural exchange.

The visit of the NCSP ‘s DG underscores the federal government’s commitment to establishing strong bilateral relations and supporting Nigeria’s economic diversification plans, infrastructure development, technology transfer, and job creation to foster mutually beneficial collaboration between the two nations.

Through this initiative, Nigeria can leverage its resources and human capital to develop key industries, bolster infrastructure, and enhance youth capacity through skills acquisition programmes.

The initiative comes on the heels of President Tinubu’s official visit to China before the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), where he had talks with China’s President Xi Jinping on improved economic cooperation.

Xi Jinping had pledged 360 billion Yuan, (about $51 billion), financing to African nations in the next three years, and support for 30 infrastructure projects to boost connectivity across the continent.

Earlier in the month, the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Nigeria to reinforce the growing partnership between China and Africa, especially Nigeria, with discussions on strengthening economic ties, enhancing security cooperation and mutual developmental goals.