Nigeria, China relations pragmatic, engaging – Foreign Minister

By Ochiaka Ugwu

The Nigerian Foreign Minister, Amb. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar has described China, Nigeria relations as being more pragmatic and engaging in recent times.

Tuggar who made this known Tuesday in Abuja in a dialogue on the Opportunities and Challenges in Nigeria-China Cooperation Amidst Shocks and Tremors of Global Trade Disruptions and Tariff Face-Offs with the theme: “Maintaining Resilience and Seeking Opportunities in Nigeria-China Cooperation, amidst International Trade Disruptions and Tariff Wars” said the trade war offers opportunity for Nigeria to maximize its potentials and trade with more with China.

Tuggar represented by a senior Foreign Ministry Official, Mohammed Haidara noted that government will interrogate the situation posed by the tariff increase and made its position known which he assured would not be confrontational.

In his Opening Remarks, Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai represented by Hairong Dong said the tariff war initiated by United States has caused tension in the world and has greatly affected free trade.

He stressed the need to work together in navigating the turbulence occasioned by the tariff war levied by American government.

He revealed that China, Nigeria trade volume is on the increase and one of the largest in Africa reaching 22 billion US dollars in 2024, saying that China values its relations with Nigeria.

In his welcome address, Director of Centre for China Studies, Dr. Charles Onunaiju who said that Nigeria-China bilateral trade was more than 20 billion U.S dollars last year which was set to grow exponentially, noted that a break out for Nigeria’s long standing economic policy concerns of diversification looms favourably on the horizon, with assorted range of non-oil exports making their way to the Chinese huge market.

He pointed that the 4th edition of the ChinaAfrica Economic and Trade Expo holding in China next month will provide for concessional access of Africa’s agricultural products to Chinese market, creating platform for direct engagement between the key stakeholders of the two nations.

Head of Department of Political Science, University of Abuja, Nigeria, Prof. Ghali Sherrif informed that Africa stand to gain more if China comes down to Africa to replicate some resources it buys from the United States or it sells to it, saying that Africa will boost their market.

Also speaking, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda Goshewe represented by his Special Assistant, Paul Johnson thanked Chinese company for signing Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry to train youths on automobile repair which will promote knowledge exchange and expand initiative.

Speaking on behalf of Industry and Business Practitioners, Leader of Nigeria Framers Group and Cooperative Society, Retson Akpomejevwe Onyemaechi who thanked China for advancing development in Nigeria solicited for China’s partnership with peasant farmers to achieve the much-touted food security.