By Obas Esiedesa, Abuja
The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, has called for the swift implementation of the Nigeria-China Aquatic Products Protocol, urging stakeholders to translate the agreement into increased exports, foreign exchange earnings and new opportunities for Nigerian businesses.
Tegbe made the call during a courtesy visit and reception following the signing of the protocol by the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai.
According to a statement by the minister’s Special Adviser on Media, Mr Adeola Adelabu, the ambassador was accompanied by Zhu Songbo, Chief of Political Section at the Chinese Embassy; the Deputy Director of its Economic and Commercial Section; Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service, NAQS, Dr Vincent Isegbe; representatives of the Federal Ministry of Justice; and officials of the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership, NCSP.
The protocol, concluded after nearly five years of negotiations, provides eligible Nigerian aquatic products with zero-tariff access to the Chinese market, which has about 1.4 billion consumers.
Welcoming the ambassador, Tegbe expressed appreciation for China’s continued support for the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership and efforts to deepen trade and business relations between the two countries.
He said bilateral trade reached $18 billion in the first half of 2026, compared with $28 billion recorded for the whole of 2025.
The minister said effective implementation of the aquatic products protocol would further strengthen economic ties between Nigeria and China and help accelerate other initiatives, including the proposed Zero Tariff Agreement for African countries.
He therefore urged Nigerian exporters and businesses to move quickly to take advantage of the new market-access opportunity.
Ambassador Yu reaffirmed the Chinese Embassy’s commitment to supporting implementation of the protocol and facilitating the entry of qualified Nigerian aquatic products into the Chinese market.
He described Tegbe’s appointment as a reflection of his leadership, vision and pragmatism, citing a 35 per cent increase in bilateral trade and an 80 per cent rise in Nigerian exports in the first half of 2026 as evidence of the potential for deeper economic cooperation.
The ambassador also assured the minister of the Chinese government’s support for Nigeria’s efforts to modernise and expand its power system.
In his remarks, the NAQS Comptroller-General, Dr Vincent Isegbe, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to providing compliance support to exporters.
He said the agreement could also pave the way for similar market-access arrangements for other Nigerian agricultural and fishery products.
Isegbe noted that growing global demand for aquatic products could significantly increase Nigeria’s exports to China if the opportunity created by the protocol was effectively utilised.
Representatives of the private sector, including Atlantic Shrimpers, expressed readiness to commence exports to China, saying the company had already identified potential buyers in the Chinese market following its engagement with the country since 2018.
The stakeholders agreed to prioritise the swift implementation of the protocol and ensure measurable outcomes, with the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership expected to continue promoting deeper economic cooperation, increased exports and sustainable opportunities for Nigerian businesses.
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