Michael Olugbode in Abuja
China has moved to deepen its strategic economic partnership with Nigeria beyond infrastructure and conventional trade, inviting the country to join a global artificial intelligence cooperation platform as bilateral trade between both countries climbed to $18 billion in the first half of 2026.
The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Dunhai Yu made the proposal in Abuja yesterday at a reception marking the anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
Yu said China was ready to align its 15th Five-year plan with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, describing industrialisation and emerging technologies as areas with significant potential for expanding bilateral cooperation.
He specifically invited Nigeria to join the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation, saying participation would enable the country to share in global technological development.
The proposal comes as economic exchanges between the two countries continue to expand. Yu disclosed that bilateral trade reached $18 billion in the first half of the year, representing a 35 per cent increase, while Chinese imports from Nigeria surged by 81 per cent.
Yu highlighted China’s zero-tariff treatment for 53 African countries as another opportunity for African producers to increase access to the Chinese market.
He said the policy had contributed to a 24 per cent increase in Chinese imports from Africa in May and June, adding that Nigeria could benefit from the expanding market if its producers were able to meet quality, supply and market requirements.
The envoy also commended the economic policies of the Tinubu administration, saying the government’s structural reforms, macroeconomic stabilisation measures and efforts to improve the business environment had strengthened Nigeria’s economic recovery and created conditions for deeper cooperation with China.
“Our future cooperation holds boundless potential,” Yu said, stressing that both countries could deepen collaboration through innovation, openness and cooperation.
The renewed emphasis on technology and industrialisation comes as Nigeria and China mark 55 years of diplomatic relations, with the relationship having evolved from trade and diplomatic engagement into extensive cooperation in infrastructure, energy, transport, healthcare and technical development.
Yu, who reflected on his two years in Nigeria, also praised the resilience and determination of Nigerians, describing what he called the “Naija spirit” as a quality that had impressed him during his travels across the country.
He said relations between Beijing and Abuja had entered a new phase under the leadership of Chinese President Xi Jinping and President Tinubu.
On China’s economic trajectory, Yu said the country’s economy grew by 4.7 per cent in the first half of the year, supported by emerging sectors including artificial intelligence, robotics and innovative pharmaceuticals.
He also pointed to China’s broader international initiatives in data and artificial intelligence as part of Beijing’s effort to promote technological cooperation with developing countries.
Speaking at the event, Director-General of the Nigeria-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, said Nigeria valued China’s contribution to major infrastructure projects and other areas of economic development.
Tegbe cited the Lekki Deep Sea Port, railway modernisation and the Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Station as examples of projects in which Chinese investment, financing and engineering had played significant roles.
He added that Nigeria also appreciated Chinese cooperation in healthcare, people-to-people exchanges and technical trade.
Tegbe further commended China’s zero-tariff programme for Nigerian producers and reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the One-China policy, recognising the government of the People’s Republic of China as the sole legal representative of China.
Also speaking, National Chairman of the Allied Peoples Movement and Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, Yusuf Dantalle, urged Nigerians to draw lessons from China’s long-term approach to national development.
Dantalle said China’s economic transformation involved sacrifice, discipline, political stability and a sustained emphasis on collective development.