Joseph Tegbe, Director-General of the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership, has assured Chinese delegates from the China National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) of Nigeria’s dedication to enhancing relations with the People’s Republic of China. This commitment aligns with agreements established by the Presidents of both nations.
Tegbe made this statement during a meeting with the Chinese delegation, which included senior officials from the NDRC. He emphasized Nigeria’s goal to transform the bilateral relationship from mere commerce into a mutually beneficial development partnership, focusing on industrial collaboration and knowledge exchange.
Zhang Huanteng, leader of the Chinese delegation, noted that the visit served as an introductory opportunity to present the signed agreements from the Presidents’ meeting in September.
He highlighted the delegation’s aim to outline priority areas of the Chinese Government as detailed in its three-year development plan. Zhang also invited the Nigerian delegation to a follow-up meeting in Beijing to discuss the details of the agreements further.
Expressing his pleasure at hosting the Chinese team, Tegbe underscored the importance of establishing a clear communication mechanism between the two countries to achieve their mutual goals as envisioned in the partnership.
He reiterated Nigeria’s focus on critical sectors, including infrastructure, energy, mining, agriculture, manufacturing, education, and technology, while emphasizing the importance of knowledge transfer for shared benefits.
Welcoming the delegation on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, Honourable Minister for Budget and Economic Planning, H.E. Sen Atiku Bagudu, expressed gratitude for the hospitality extended to the Nigerian delegation during their visit to China in September.
He recalled the signing of five agreements, with the NDRC overseeing three, and affirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the Belt and Road initiatives, which prioritize collaborative projects.
The Minister assured the Chinese delegates that the Director-General would update the President on progress made thus far, and he indicated that the two countries would schedule subsequent meetings to address any outstanding issues and establish timelines for each initiative.
