By Sandra Kenneth
The Federal Government has announced plans to deepen its energy sector collaboration with China to deliver reliable electricity, expand renewable energy infrastructure, and establish domestic manufacturing of power equipment across Nigeria.
The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, disclosed this on Wednesday night in Abuja during a reception marking the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
Tegbe, who also serves as Director-General of the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership, stated that expanding Chinese investment in the power sector would yield the greatest impact if centered on local capacity building and technology transfer.
“As Minister of Power, I see particular promise in deeper cooperation on achieving reliable electricity, renewable energy, and the manufacture of power equipment in Nigeria,” Tegbe said. “The benefits will be greatest when investment also develops Nigerian engineers, technicians, and strengthens local enterprises, equipping us to operate and maintain what we build.”
The minister traced the diplomatic ties between both nations back to February 10, 1971, noting that the relationship was elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnership by President Bola Tinubu and Chinese President Xi Jinping in September 2024. He commended China’s financial and engineering contributions to major Nigerian infrastructure ventures, including the Zungeru Hydropower Station, the Lekki Deep Seaport, and nationwide railway modernization projects.
Highlighting economic metrics, Tegbe disclosed that bilateral trade between both nations reached $28 billion at the end of last year and stood at $17 billion in the first half of 2026. He urged stakeholders to leverage China’s zero-tariff policy to boost domestic manufacturing and expand Nigerian exports.
Also speaking at the event, the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, affirmed that bilateral relations have entered “the fast lane” under the leadership of Presidents Xi and Tinubu.
Dunhai reported that bilateral trade grew by 35 percent in the first half of 2026—with Chinese imports from Nigeria surging by 81 percent—and expressed Beijing’s readiness to align China’s 15th Five-Year Plan with Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Agenda across industrialization, digital technology, and the green economy.
