NCSP DG Hails China’s Spring Festival, Signals Export-Led Reset in Nigeria–China Ties
The Director-General of the Nigeria–China Strategic Partnership (NCSP), Joseph Tegbe, has congratulated the government and people of China on the Spring Festival, describing the celebration as a symbol of a renewed and more ambitious phase in Nigeria–China economic relations anchored on export-driven growth.
In a statement marking the Lunar New Year, Tegbe noted that this year’s festival coincides with the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and China, established in 1971, describing the milestone as evidence of a resilient partnership that has evolved from formal diplomacy into one of Africa’s most significant economic relationships.
He said the relationship—now elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership—has expanded beyond trade to include infrastructure financing, industrial investment, technology cooperation and people-to-people exchanges.
According to Tegbe, China remains Nigeria’s largest trading partner and a major contributor to strategic infrastructure development, with projects spanning rail transport, ports, power generation and industrial parks.
However, he stressed that the next phase of engagement must move beyond infrastructure to focus on value addition, manufacturing and export competitiveness, as Nigeria seeks to reposition its economy.
Tegbe described the Zero-Tariff initiative introduced by the Chinese government for qualifying African exports as a potential game-changer for Nigeria’s non-oil sector, saying it offers local producers preferential access to one of the world’s largest consumer markets.
“The Zero-Tariff arrangement provides Nigerian businesses with an unprecedented opportunity to scale exports, deepen industrial processing and create jobs at home,” he said. “But access alone is not enough—success will depend on quality standards, efficient logistics and strong collaboration between government and the private sector.”
He disclosed that the NCSP is already engaging stakeholders across manufacturing, agriculture and export promotion institutions to ensure Nigeria fully utilises the preferential trade window and converts diplomatic goodwill into tangible economic gains.
Tegbe added that as both countries mark 55 years of diplomatic ties, the symbolism of the Spring Festival—renewal, growth and prosperity—reflects a strategic recalibration of bilateral relations towards sustainable development, export diversification and shared prosperity.
“With deliberate execution and policy discipline, this next phase of Nigeria–China relations can redefine our export landscape and strengthen our industrial capacity,” he said.
Analysts say the renewed focus on export diversification signals a broader shift in Nigeria’s foreign economic strategy, positioning China not only as an infrastructure partner but also as a critical gateway for industrial expansion and global market access.
