Precious Anga
Lagos — The Federal Government has said deeper cooperation with China could help Nigeria deliver more reliable electricity, expand renewable energy and begin producing more power equipment locally.
Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, stated this in Abuja on Wednesday night at a reception to mark the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
Tegbe, who is also the Director-General of the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership, said Chinese investment in the power sector would have greater impact if it was tied to the development of Nigerian engineers, technicians and local businesses.
“As Minister of Power, I see particular promise in deeper cooperation on achieving reliable electricity, renewable energy, and manufacture of power equipment in Nigeria with our cooperation with China.
“The benefits will be the greatest when investment also develops Nigerian engineers, technicians, and strengthens local enterprises and equips us to operate and maintain what we build in Nigeria,” he said.
The minister said Nigeria and China had moved beyond diplomatic relations to a broad partnership covering infrastructure, healthcare, technical exchanges, trade and investment, with China already contributing investment, financing and engineering expertise to major projects including the Lekki Deep Seaport, railway modernisation and the Zungeru Hydropower Station.
Tegbe also said the expanding trade relationship should translate into increased Nigerian production and exports. He disclosed that bilateral trade stood at $28bn at the end of 2025 and reached $17bn in the first half of 2026.
“Our shared task is to translate that access into stronger Nigerian production and Nigerian exports to China, with benefits that will endure both economies,” he said.
Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, said the relationship between both countries had entered “the fast lane”, disclosing that bilateral trade reached $18bn in the first half of 2026, representing a 35 per cent increase, while Chinese imports from Nigeria rose by 81 per cent.
Dunhai said China was ready to align its 15th Five-Year Plan with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly in industrialisation, digital development, renewable energy and the green and blue economies.
The ambassador also said China’s zero-tariff treatment for 53 African countries could create additional opportunities for Nigerian producers to expand exports, while urging continued cooperation in areas including artificial intelligence, digital payments and solar energy.
The renewed focus on Chinese investment comes as the Federal Government seeks to address persistent weaknesses across Nigeria’s electricity value chain, including gas supply constraints, ageing infrastructure, transmission limitations and inadequate payment flows. Tegbe recently acknowledged that many Nigerians still lack reliable electricity despite ongoing efforts to improve the sector.
