By Emmanuel Elebeke

Nigeria and China have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening their partnership in economic development. This was disclosed by the Charge d’Affaires of the Embassy of Nigeria in China, Ambassador Baba Gana Wakil, during a 12-day seminar titled “Xi Jinping: The Governance of China and Exchanges on the Experience in the Field of Economic Development Between China and Nigeria” held in Beijing, China.

Ambassador Wakil highlighted that the partnership would focus on exchanging experiences and fostering collaboration across various sectors, including trade, energy, finance, customs, and agriculture. He noted that both countries are engaging in joint initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable growth, enhancing capacity building, and creating investment opportunities.

Through this partnership, he explained, joint projects are being implemented to strengthen human capital and improve economic resilience, demonstrating a shared commitment to addressing mutual challenges and achieving development goals.

The seminar, one of the outcomes of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed during the September 2024 Beijing Summit, was designed to facilitate productive discussions, share insights, and explore meaningful opportunities for cooperation.

Ambassador Wakil, represented by the Senior Counsellor of the Embassy of Nigeria in Beijing, Mr. Ibrahim Jamilu Abdullahi, expressed optimism about the potential for Nigeria-China collaboration.

“I am optimistic about the potential for Nigeria-China cooperation in promoting economic development. By working together, we can unlock significant opportunities that will lead to mutual benefits, including enhanced trade, increased investment, and sustainable economic growth for both countries,” he said.

The ambassador commended the Embassy of Nigeria in China and the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning for their support in driving the program’s success. He also expressed gratitude to the Chinese partners, including the Embassy of China in Nigeria and the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), for their contributions, which he said fostered a positive and impactful experience for the delegation.

Participants of the seminar included representatives from the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, the State House, Office of the Chief of Staff to the President, and various ministries, departments, and agencies such as Industry, Trade and Investment; Finance; Transport; Agriculture and Food Security; Marine and Blue Economy; and the Nigeria Customs Service.

In her remarks, the leader of the Nigerian delegation, Mrs. Clementina Okoro of the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, expressed gratitude for the learning opportunity.

“Over the course of this seminar, we have gained valuable insights into China’s extraordinary economic transformation and development strategies. We explored key areas such as energy, infrastructure development, industrialization, innovation, and agriculture—fields where China has made remarkable strides. We also learned about China’s success in poverty reduction and sustainable development,” she said.

Mrs. Okoro emphasized the importance of international collaboration, stating that the lessons learned would serve as a guide in shaping Nigeria’s economic development strategies, particularly in the energy sector. She appreciated the hosts, including the NDRC, Energy Research Institute of China, Sinohydro Engineering Bureau & Co. Ltd., and others, for their contributions to the enriching program.

The seminar featured presentations on topics such as “The Significance and Contemporary Value of Chinese Modernization,” “Xi Jinping’s Economic Thought,” “China’s Foreign Opening-Up Strategy and Policies Towards Nigeria,” and “The Belt and Road Initiative and Opportunities for China-Nigeria Cooperation.”

The program also included study tours to historical sites, shipping facilities, energy projects, and industrial centers specializing in power generation, road and dam construction, and the manufacturing of heavy-duty equipment.

Mr. Pan Jiang, a representative of the International Cooperation Department of the NDRC, commended the success of the seminar and expressed gratitude to all stakeholders, including the Nigerian government and agencies, for their support.

“This seminar has been a very fruitful two weeks, fostering mutual understanding and paving the way for deeper cooperation between our nations,” he said.