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By Daniel Adaji
Nigeria and China have agreed to strengthen their partnership in the power sector as part of efforts to drive economic growth and support President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, made the call during a meeting with the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, in Abuja on Saturday. He said deeper collaboration between both countries is crucial for expanding power infrastructure while advancing local content to reduce dependence on foreign exchange.
Adelabu highlighted the already strong bilateral ties, pointing to a trade volume of $20bn and major Chinese-backed projects, including the $1.4bn Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Plant and a $2.5bn transmission project for the Eastern and Western super grid.
“Nigeria is the biggest economy in Africa and China is the biggest in Asia,” he said, proposing quarterly meetings to track progress across the power sector.
The Minister also stressed the need for capacity building and technology transfer, urging Chinese companies to train Nigerian workers and share expertise.
He further called on the Chinese government to curb the production of substandard goods destined for Nigeria. While acknowledging China’s reputation for quality products, Adelabu insisted that “there must be a minimum standard.”
Responding, Ambassador Yu Dunhai reaffirmed Nigeria’s importance in China’s Africa policy, pledging full cooperation to strengthen the partnership. He described electricity as the “blood of industry” and said the Renewed Hope Agenda has transformative potential. Yu also pointed to Nigeria’s youthful population and vast market as a foundation for sustained collaboration and growth.