Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, says a proposed partnership with China could help Nigeria improve electricity supply, expand renewable energy and develop local capacity to manufacture power equipment.
Tegbe spoke on Wednesday night in Abuja at a reception commemorating the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
The minister said Chinese investment in Nigeria’s power sector would have a greater long-term impact if it was accompanied by the development of Nigerian engineers, technicians and local businesses capable of operating and maintaining the infrastructure being developed.
“As Minister of Power, I see particular promise in deeper cooperation on achieving reliable electricity, renewable energy, and manufacture of power equipment in Nigeria with our cooperation with China,” Tegbe said.
He added that the country stood to gain more when foreign investments were structured to transfer knowledge and strengthen domestic technical capacity.
According to the minister, Nigeria-China relations have expanded considerably from diplomatic ties into cooperation in areas including infrastructure, healthcare, technical exchange, trade and investment.
Nigeria and China established diplomatic relations on February 10, 1971, while the relationship was elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnership by President Bola Tinubu and Chinese President Xi Jinping in September 2024.
Tegbe, who also serves as Director-General of the Nigerian-China Strategic Partnership, acknowledged China’s role in several major Nigerian infrastructure projects.
He cited Chinese investment, financing and engineering contributions to projects including the Lekki Deep Seaport, railway modernisation programme and the Zungeru Hydropower Station.
The minister also praised China’s development in manufacturing, science and technology, high-speed rail and clean energy, describing the country’s transformation as significant.
Beyond infrastructure, Tegbe said China’s zero-tariff programme could provide opportunities for Nigerian producers to access the Chinese market and increase the country’s exports.
He disclosed that bilateral trade between Nigeria and China stood at $28bn at the end of 2025, while trade between both countries had reached $17bn in the first half of 2026.
Tegbe said the figures demonstrated the scale of the economic relationship and the potential for further cooperation, particularly in sectors capable of strengthening Nigeria’s productive capacity.
