Ephraim Sheyin says Nigerian perception of China has evolved from consumer goods to industrial partnership, urges media to strengthen direct and balanced reporting
Former Editor-in-Chief of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr Ephraim Sheyin, has called on African and Chinese media organisations to strengthen direct, balanced and authentic reporting as relations between China and Nigeria continue to expand.
Sheyin spoke during a special interview with Africa China News (ACN) ahead of the October 1 celebrations, as Nigeria marks its 66th Independence Anniversary and the People’s Republic of China celebrates the 77th anniversary of its founding.
The year 2026 also marks 55 years of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and China.
Speaking on the significance of the shared October 1 date, Sheyin said Nigeria and China had common aspirations for economic growth, national development and improved living standards.
He noted that both countries possess considerable human and natural resources and have continued to pursue opportunities for development and international cooperation.
According to him, Nigeria’s Independence Anniversary provides an opportunity to reflect on the country’s commitment to growth, stability and development across different sectors.
Sheyin said both countries share “strong aspirations, a desire for growth, and a mutual commitment to development,” adding that cooperation should ultimately translate into tangible benefits for their peoples.
Nigeria–China Relations Have Deepened
Assessing more than five decades of bilateral relations, the former NAN editor-in-chief said ties between Nigeria and China had continued to improve, with the two countries becoming increasingly connected.
He identified education, leadership engagement and business cooperation among areas in which opportunities for closer interaction had emerged.
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1971, Nigeria–China cooperation has expanded across several sectors, including trade, infrastructure, education, telecommunications and business.
Sheyin said sustained engagement between the two countries would be important in consolidating the relationship and creating further opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation.
Nigerian Perception of China Is Changing
Drawing on his experience as a journalist, Sheyin said Nigerian public perception of China had changed significantly over the years.
According to him, China was previously viewed by some Nigerians mainly as a source of inexpensive consumer products.
That perception, he said, has gradually broadened as Chinese participation in major infrastructure and development projects has become more visible.
He cited railways, ports, airports and telecommunications infrastructure among the areas that have contributed to a wider understanding of China as an important partner in Nigeria’s industrialisation and economic development.
The change, he said, reflects not only the expansion of economic relations but also the way Nigerians increasingly encounter China through projects and cooperation within the country.
Media Has a Critical Role
Mr Sheyin stressed that the media had played an important role in shaping public understanding of Nigeria–China relations.
He said African media organisations should increasingly report international partnerships from perspectives grounded in local realities and national interests, rather than depending excessively on narratives developed outside the continent.
Direct exchanges between African and Chinese journalists, he added, could help strengthen understanding and provide audiences with more balanced accounts of developments in both regions.
Mr Sheyin said specialised platforms such as Africa China News could contribute to this process by reporting directly on issues including technology transfer, economic development, infrastructure, business cooperation and people-to-people exchanges.
For Africa–China journalism to remain credible, he said, reporting should be rooted in facts, professional standards and the realities experienced by people on the ground.
Sheyin Urges ACN to Prioritise Authenticity
Asked what advice he would give to Africa China News as a developing international media organisation, Sheyin urged the organisation to remain committed to telling authentic stories about Africa and China.
He also emphasised the importance of a strong editorial policy capable of supporting professional journalism and greater exchanges between the two sides.
His remarks underscored the growing importance of direct Africa–China communication at a time when economic and diplomatic engagement between the two regions is expanding.
As trade, investment, infrastructure and people-to-people relations deepen, media institutions are increasingly positioned to help audiences understand not only the opportunities arising from such cooperation but also its challenges and wider social impact.
For ACN, this means reporting from the field, engaging governments, businesses, experts and communities, and providing audiences with factual and balanced accounts of developments shaping Africa–China relations.
Calls for Stronger Relations and National Development
In his message to Nigerians and Chinese on their respective national celebrations, Sheyin urged both countries to preserve and strengthen the relationship built over the past 55 years.
He also spoke on leadership, governance and national development, advocating patriotic leadership and greater exchange of development experiences.
Sheyin identified discipline, governance and technological advancement as areas in which Nigeria and China could deepen dialogue and learning.
He added that Nigeria must continue addressing its domestic development challenges while making better use of its human and natural resources to build a more resilient society and create opportunities for younger generations.
77 Years, 66 Years and 55 Years
The 2026 celebrations bring together three milestones: 77 years since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, 66 years of Nigeria’s independence, and 55 years of Nigeria–China diplomatic relations.
Over the decades, bilateral relations have expanded from formal diplomatic engagement into trade, infrastructure, education, technology and wider people-to-people exchanges.
Sheyin’s remarks also highlight another dimension of that relationship , the role of information and journalism in strengthening mutual understanding.
As Africa and China deepen their engagement, direct and professional media exchanges could become increasingly important in helping both sides understand each other beyond stereotypes and externally defined narratives.
For Africa–China media, the task is therefore broader than simply reporting bilateral events.
It is about documenting developments accurately, providing context, reflecting diverse experiences and ensuring that African and Chinese audiences have greater access to each other’s realities.
