The Federal Government of Nigeria has called on China to extend its recent removal of trade tariffs to Nigeria, following similar actions taken for 33 other African countries.
This appeal was made by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, during a meeting with the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai.
Ojukwu acknowledged China’s significant contributions to Nigeria’s infrastructure development, particularly in the areas of roads and railways. She emphasized the importance of these developments as Nigeria seeks to modernize its power sector and ports to attract more foreign investment.
The Minister also highlighted the increasing interest among Nigerian youths in learning the Chinese language, underscoring the role of cultural exchange in strengthening bilateral relations between the two nations.
In response, Ambassador Dunhai reaffirmed China’s commitment to deepening its partnership with Nigeria, describing the country as a strategic ally. He noted that trade between Nigeria and China exceeded $21 billion in the previous year, with Nigerian exports to China experiencing a remarkable increase of 25%.
“China sees Nigeria as a great nation and a key player on the global stage. We support Nigeria’s inclusion in the G-20 and will continue to foster cooperation in trade, infrastructure, and financial partnerships,” said Dunhai.
The Ambassador also emphasized the vital role of manufacturing in Nigeria’s industrialization efforts and highlighted the recently renewed $2 billion currency swap agreement, which he stated would further enhance trade and investment opportunities between the two countries.
