- Joseph Tegbe, Director-General of the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership, will visit key Chinese sites to strengthen bilateral relations and promote economic cooperation.
- The visit follows President Tinubu’s discussions with China’s leadership on boosting trade, infrastructure, and development projects under the renewed Hope agenda.
Joseph Tegbe, Director-General of the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (NCSP), is set to visit key Chinese institutions on January 20, 2025, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen bilateral ties and promote economic growth between the two countries.
His visit is expected to include a courtesy call at the Consulate General/Trade Mission Office, as well as a tour of the Yang Shang Deep Sea Port and Danghai Bridge (Sea). The trip is aligned with Nigeria’s broader strategic plan to enhance relations with China, particularly under the renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which emphasises economic diversification, infrastructure development, and sustainable growth.
Tegbe’s visit underscores Nigeria’s determination to leverage its resources and human capital to foster mutually beneficial partnerships with China. The NCSP DG and his team are also scheduled to meet with Huawei and CEC/Long UAV representatives to discuss collaborative opportunities in various sectors, including technology transfer, infrastructure, and skill development. These discussions are critical to ensuring that Nigeria benefits from China’s expertise in these areas, which are essential for economic growth.
The delegation previously visited China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) headquarters, where Tegbe met with Zhao Chenxin, the NDRC’s Deputy Chairman, and other key officials.
The meetings focused on aligning the partnership with President Tinubu’s vision for Nigeria’s national growth. Areas of cooperation include agriculture for food security, renewable energy development, healthcare, mining for the country’s mineral resources, and strengthening Nigeria’s education system to promote cultural exchange.
This visit comes on President Tinubu’s official trip to China, where he talked with President Xi Jinping about enhancing economic cooperation between the two countries. During the discussions, Xi Jinping pledged 360 billion Yuan (approximately $51 billion) in financing for African nations over the next three years, supporting 30 infrastructure projects to boost connectivity across the continent.
The growing China-Africa partnership was further reinforced earlier this month by the visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to Nigeria, where he held talks on strengthening economic and security ties.
Tegbe’s visit and the broader collaboration between Nigeria and China reflect Nigeria’s commitment to economic diversification, infrastructure development, and job creation. They support President Tinubu’s efforts to foster long-term, sustainable development. Through these initiatives, Nigeria is positioned to enhance its industrial base, develop key sectors, and empower its youth through skill acquisition programs.