🌍🤝 Strengthening Nigeria–China Ties for Innovation and Development
Today, I had the honour of receiving His Excellency, Ambassador Extraordinary And Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Ambassador Yu Dunhai. The Chinese Ambassador is on a courtesy visit to the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology.
Our discussions built on the momentum of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent historic state visit to China, where relations between our two countries were elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. That milestone was underscored by the signing of more than a dozen cooperative agreements across critical sectors.
🔑 Highlights of Our Partnership
✅ Science, Technology & Innovation – China shared its successful journey to innovation-driven development. Together, we are deepening cooperation to diversify Nigeria’s economy, boost manufacturing, and empower our young innovators.
✅ Agriculture – With China’s support, we are working to harness technology to raise yields in rice, cassava, and other staples, improve irrigation systems, and add value through agro-processing.
✅ Digital Economy – Nigeria is Africa’s leader in digital transformation, and with partners like Huawei, NVIDIA, and others, we are advancing AI training, building innovation hubs, and creating opportunities for over 250,000 young Nigerians.
✅ Manufacturing & Renewable Energy – Longi, the world’s largest solar producer, is setting up a solar panel factory in Nigeria. Other partnerships are focused on electric vehicles (EVs), charging infrastructure, and clean energy solutions like affordable CNG for households.
✅ Biotechnology & Health – An MoU is ready to be signed with Shanghai Heike Corporation to begin local insulin production. More partnerships in medical equipment, agriculture biotech, and genetic engineering are in the pipeline.
✅ Space Technology – Building on our longstanding collaboration since NICONSAT, Nigeria and China are expanding joint work in satellite technology, crop monitoring, direct-to-device communication, and disruptive space technologies.
đź’ˇ Why This Matters
Nigeria’s partnership with China is not just about projects—it is about people. It is about tackling energy poverty, ensuring food security, creating jobs, empowering SMEs, and equipping our youth with the tools to lead in science and innovation.
🚀 Moving Forward
We are committed to ensuring that all partnerships are transparent, impactful, and aligned with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. With China as a trusted ally, we are positioning Nigeria as a hub for innovation and sustainable development in Africa.
Together, we are building a future where Nigeria’s potential becomes Nigeria’s reality.
🇳🇬🤝🇨🇳
Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji
Honourable Minister of Innovation, Science & Technology
