As the People’s Republic of China marks the 77th anniversary of its founding, Nigeria celebrates 66 years of independence, and the two countries commemorate 55 years of diplomatic relations, former Nigerian Senator Shehu Sani, who represented Kaduna Central Senatorial District, granted an exclusive interview to Africa-China News (ACN) on September 29.
During the interview, Senator Sani spoke about the significance of October 1 to both countries, the evolution of Nigeria–China relations over the past 55 years, opportunities for Chinese investment in Kaduna State, and his expectations for the future of bilateral cooperation.
ACN: October 1 is a very special date for both Nigeria and China. China celebrates the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, while Nigeria marks 66 years of independence.
As a senior Nigerian political figure, what does this shared date mean to you?
Senator Shehu Sani: “It symbolizes the shared pursuit of sovereignty and self-determination”
Senator Sani described October 1 as a profound symbol of the historical journeys of both Nigeria and China toward sovereignty and self-determination.
He noted that China has emerged as a major global force in engineering, science and technology, and said the strategic partnership between Nigeria and China should increasingly focus on technology transfer and manpower development.
Such cooperation, he said, could enable Nigeria to strengthen its domestic capabilities, benefit from China’s development experience and create more sustainable prosperity for its people.
Senator Sani also noted that the shared October 1 anniversary provides an opportunity for both countries to reflect not only on their respective national histories, but also on the evolution of their bilateral relationship.
Nigeria and China formally established diplomatic relations in 1971, making 2026 the 55th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
ACN: Looking back over more than half a century, how would you assess the development of Nigeria–China relations, and what do you consider the most important achievements of this partnership?
Senator Shehu Sani: “Strong relations must also support Nigerian industries and employment”.
Senator Sani commended the longstanding relationship between Nigeria and China, while stressing that the continued expansion of bilateral economic ties should also take into account the competitive pressures facing Nigerian industries.
He argued that Nigeria should properly regulate imports in order to protect domestic businesses and employment and prevent the country from becoming a dumping ground for low-quality products.
According to him, Nigeria needs policies that encourage the revival, growth and competitiveness of local industries, while ensuring that foreign investment makes a meaningful contribution to domestic economic development.
His remarks point to a broader issue confronting the next phase of Nigeria–China economic relations: how to expand bilateral trade while moving more cooperation toward local manufacturing, industrial investment, technology transfer and job creation.
ACN: Given Kaduna’s strong base in agriculture, manufacturing, logistics and mineral resources, what are its key industrial advantages, and why should Chinese business leaders and investors consider Kaduna?
Senator Shehu Sani: “Textiles, agriculture and mining offer significant opportunities”
Speaking on investment opportunities in Kaduna State, Senator Sani identified three major areas where Chinese investment could play a greater role:
He said stronger investment partnerships in these sectors could help expand production, create economic opportunities and support the industrial development of Kaduna State.
Kaduna has a longstanding industrial tradition, particularly in textiles, a sector that once played an important role in the state’s economy and employment.
Its agricultural base and mineral resources also provide opportunities for investment in production, processing and related value chains.
Senator Sani said greater cooperation with Chinese investors in these sectors could contribute to rebuilding productive capacity and creating new economic opportunities.
For Chinese companies seeking long-term opportunities in Nigeria, his message points toward a broader transition in bilateral economic engagement:
ACN: As China celebrates 77 years, Nigeria marks 66 years of independence, and our two countries commemorate 55 years of diplomatic relations, what message would you like to send to the people of China and Nigeria?
Senator Shehu Sani: “China is a national friend of Nigeria”
Senator Sani described ‘China as a national friend of Nigeria’ and called on the two countries to continue working together.
He said Nigeria–China cooperation should be further strengthened in both diplomatic and economic fields, with greater emphasis on partnerships that contribute directly to Nigeria’s development.
Since diplomatic relations were established in 1971, cooperation between the two countries has expanded across a wide range of areas.
Looking ahead, Senator Sani’s remarks highlighted a central question for the next stage of bilateral relations:
How can growing trade translate into stronger industries, investment create more jobs, technology cooperation build local capacity, and bilateral engagement deliver greater benefits to the people of both countries?
ACN Analysis: Industrial Development and the Next Phase of Nigeria–China Relations
Senator Sani’s interview presented both sides of an increasingly important conversation about Nigeria–China economic relations. On one hand, he acknowledged the longstanding friendship between the two countries and China’s achievements in engineering, science and technology.
On the other, he stressed Nigeria’s need to strengthen domestic industries, safeguard employment and ensure that foreign investment contributes more directly to the productive economy.
His remarks reflect a broader direction increasingly relevant to the future of bilateral economic cooperation:
from trade in goods to industrial partnership, from equipment imports to technology transfer, from individual projects to local manufacturing and skills development.
In Kaduna State, textiles, agriculture and mining represent practical sectors in which this transition could be explored.
Today, the question is no longer simply how to expand cooperation, but how to make that cooperation more industrially substantive, more locally beneficial and more sustainable over the long term. That could become one of the defining questions as Nigeria and China move toward the next 55 years of their relationship.
