- Nigeria seeks China’s help establishing electric vehicle assembly plants to diversify the economy.
- Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu calls for support in renewable energy, agriculture, and digital communication to address key national challenges.
- China reaffirms its commitment to Nigeria, highlighting growing trade ties and strategic cooperation on significant infrastructure projects.
The Federal Government has urged China to assist Nigeria in diversifying its economy by establishing electric vehicle assembly plants. Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, made this request during the visit of the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunham.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu described China as one of Nigeria’s largest trade partners and highlighted the importance of expanding cooperation. She expects China’s support to boost Nigeria-China ties and contribute to President Bola Tinubu’s industrialisation goals.
“In line with President Tinubu’s industrialisation policy, we seek China’s help setting up electric vehicle assembly plants,” she stated.
Focus on Economic Diversification
The minister emphasised Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening economic relations, aligning with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to diversify the economy.
She highlighted a growing interest among Nigerian youths in learning Chinese and stressed the need to enhance cultural ties.
“Many Nigerian universities plan to offer Chinese as a course, given its growing relevance in global trade,” she noted.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu called for Chinese support in renewable energy, digital communication, and agriculture. She stressed the need to address food insecurity and noted the government’s effort to ensure food reaches the poorest.
“We are not just talking about food; we have created a separate Ministry of Livestock to address food security,” she said.
The minister urged China to lift trade tariffs on Nigerian goods, as it had already done for 33 other African nations, to foster more significant exchanges between them.
Strengthening Bilateral Relations
Chinese Ambassador Yu Dunham praised Nigeria’s strategic importance and affirmed China’s commitment to strengthening ties. He described the relationship as a “comprehensive strategic partnership” and expressed China’s support for Nigeria’s inclusion in the G-20.
“We want Nigeria to take on a larger role on the global stage,” Yu stated.
Yu highlighted the growing trade between Nigeria and China, noting that their bilateral trade exceeded $21 billion in 2024, with Nigeria’s exports rising by 25%. He identified the manufacturing sector as key to Nigeria’s industrialisation and pointed to the recently renewed $2 billion currency swap deal as vital for boosting trade and investment.
China and Nigeria have collaborated on road construction, railway modernisation, industrial parks, and the Lekki Sea Port. Yu reaffirmed China’s commitment to providing grants to African countries without conditions, further strengthening their partnership.
You also praised President Tinubu’s official visit to China and his participation in the Forum of China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), which helped strengthen relations. He reaffirmed that China remains consistent in its support for African nations, including Nigeria.
The ambassador emphasised the shared interests of both countries and expressed confidence that they will continue working together to enhance trade, industrialisation, and cultural ties.