The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dunoma Umar Ahmed, PhD, received the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Nigeria, H.E. Yu Dunhai, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja, on Thursday 13 August 2026, for discussions on the state of Nigeria-China relations and opportunities for further strengthening bilateral cooperation.
The meeting focused on trade and investment, economic development, security, energy, manufacturing, agriculture, digital technology and other areas of mutual interest.
During the meeting, Ambassador Yu highlighted recent positive developments in bilateral economic relations, particularly the opportunity for Nigerian products to access the Chinese market under the zero-tariff policy. He noted that the arrangement would create new opportunities for Nigerian manufacturers and exporters, including producers of plastic products, to expand into the Chinese market. He further disclosed that the Chinese Government had decided to provide a RMB 200 million grant, approximately US$3.3 million, to support projects to be jointly identified and implemented by both sides.
The Permanent Secretary expressed appreciation for China’s continued support to Nigeria and Africa and reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to further deepening the Nigeria-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. He emphasised the importance of translating the strong political relationship between both countries into tangible economic benefits through increased trade and investment, technology transfer and mutually beneficial development projects.
He further reaffirmed Nigeria’s adherence to the One-China Policy and stressed the importance of expanding economic cooperation in agriculture, digital technology, mining and renewable energy. He encouraged increased Chinese investment in Nigeria’s Special Economic Zones as a means of promoting industrialisation, value addition and the development of local manufacturing capacity.
The Permanent Secretary also highlighted the opportunities arising from Nigeria’s ongoing reforms in the mining sector and the country’s substantial solid mineral resources as an additional area for bilateral cooperation. He underscored the Federal Government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for investors and encouraged greater Chinese investment in manufacturing, energy and other priority sectors capable of supporting Nigeria’s economic diversification and sustainable development.
On security cooperation, the Permanent Secretary commended China’s contributions to peacekeeping, counter-terrorism and conflict resolution and called for enhanced collaboration to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to combat terrorism. He particularly highlighted the need for greater exchanges in security expertise, technology and capacity building, including cooperation in the deployment of drones and other relevant technologies. Ambassador Yu reaffirmed China’s readiness to deepen security cooperation with Nigeria and identified manufacturing and power development as additional areas with significant potential for collaboration.
The Chinese Ambassador identified the power sector, particularly renewable energy, as an area of considerable potential for enhanced cooperation, noting the presence of leading Chinese power companies in Nigeria. He stressed that reliable electricity supply remains critical to industrialisation and expressed China’s readiness to support Nigeria’s efforts to expand electricity generation and renewable energy capacity. He also emphasised the importance of strengthening Nigeria’s manufacturing base in view of the country’s population and development needs.
Discussions also covered the Global Artificial Intelligence Organisation, with Ambassador Yu encouraging Nigeria to consider membership. He explained that participation would create opportunities for cooperation in artificial intelligence research, training, capacity building and the establishment of AI laboratories. The Permanent Secretary indicated that the matter would be followed up with the relevant authorities, noting the potential benefits to Nigeria’s technological development.
The meeting also reviewed the importance of maintaining Nigeria’s established position on the Taiwan issue. Ambassador Yu expressed appreciation for Nigeria’s adherence to the One-China Policy and urged continued sensitisation of relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies to ensure that official engagements remain consistent with Nigeria’s position. He also appreciated the security arrangements provided by Nigerian authorities around the Chinese Embassy in Abuja and requested continued effective coordination and timely security support.
Transportation was equally identified as a potential area for enhanced Nigeria-China cooperation.
The meeting reaffirmed the strong and expanding Nigeria-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with both sides expressing commitment to translating the relationship into concrete economic and developmental outcomes. They agreed to sustain consultations on trade and investment, manufacturing, energy, agriculture, mining, digital technology, artificial intelligence, security and infrastructure, including follow-up on the proposed RMB 200 million grant, promotion of Nigerian exports to China under the zero-tariff arrangement, enhanced security cooperation, possible Nigerian participation in the Global Artificial Intelligence Organisation and increased Chinese investment in Nigeria’s priority sectors.
Signed:
Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, anipr
Spokesperson,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Abuja
Friday, 14 August 2026
