Joseph Tegbe, Director-General and Global Liaison of the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (NCSP) on Tuesday paid a courtesy visit to Hon. Jaafaru Yakubu, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Nigeria-China Parliamentary Relations, at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja.
According to a statement from the lawmaker’s office, both parties discussed collaboration, synergy, and cooperation between the executive and legislative branches regarding Nigeria-China developmental relations.
In his remarks, Hon. Jaafaru stated that his committee will review laws pertaining to mining, manufacturing, and construction to position Nigeria not just as a trade partner of China, but as a developmental partner.
On his part, Tegbe stated that Nigeria aims to leverage China’s modernization policy for industrialization.
“We envision being in a net surplus position within the next five years. There is nothing Brazil is doing with China that Nigeria cannot achieve, and we will also leverage China’s modernization policy for Nigeria’s industrial growth,” he noted.
This visit follows Tegbe’s recent trip to China, aimed at enhancing bilateral relations between the two nations.
During the China visit, Tegbe engaged with senior Chinese government officials and participated in strategic meetings aimed at finalizing agreements that will bolster the Nigerian economy in critical sectors such as agriculture, alternative energy, healthcare, mining, education, and technology.
In September 2024, President Bola Tinubu appointed Tegbe as Director-General of the NCSP, tasking him with implementing various Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) signed between China and Nigeria during the Beijing summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). Tegbe is also responsible for promoting a deeper understanding of developmental programs between the two countries.
Some of the MoUs signed at the summit include: Cooperation on jointly promoting the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Peaceful application of nuclear energy, Strengthening cooperation on human resource development under the Global Development Initiative and Media exchange and collaboration between China Media Group and the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).
