The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II and other stakeholders have urged a strategic realignment of Nigeria’s 55-year diplomatic relationship with China to position the country to gain from the economic opportunities offered by Chinese enterprises, economic development, and technology.
The Kano monarch was joined by the director-general of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), Dr Joseph Ochogwu and the director of the Centre for China Studies (CCS), Charles Onunaiju, to stress the need for the strategic recalibration of Nigeria’s diplomatic and economic engagement with China.
This was the crux of a Dialogue on the 55 years of China-Nigeria bilateral relations that was held at the IPCR on Wednesday in Abuja with the theme “Nigeria-China at 55 and Beyond”, where the Emir highlighted both the historical significance of the partnership and the opportunities it presents for Nigeria’s industrialisation and long-term development.
The Emir stressed the importance of assigning experienced diplomats to strategically critical postings rather than prioritising prestige in Western capitals, saying “diplomatic deployments must align with long-term national interests, particularly in emerging geopolitical realities.”
The Kano monarch, however, warned Nigeria not to focus solely on Chinese infrastructure but to boost domestic production and industrialisation to fully benefit from bilateral cooperation, particularly under the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).
“We must position Nigeria as the hub for manufacturing and production in Africa. Our market size gives us leverage, but we need focused economic diplomacy to translate that into factories, power plants, and job creation,” he said.
The Chinese delegation, led by Chargé d’Affaires Zhou Hongyou, also highlighted people-to-people exchanges, noting that over 5,000 Nigerian students are currently studying in China, even as he reaffirmed China’s commitment to strengthening diplomatic, economic, and cultural partnerships with Nigeria.
He said, “Fifty-five years ago, China and Nigeria established diplomatic ties, embarking on a journey marked by solidarity, mutual respect and shared development goals,” adding that “From the formation of a strategic partnership to its elevation to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2024, every milestone has been guided by the principles of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation.”
The envoy highlighted the tangible achievements of the partnership, noting China’s support in infrastructure, energy, trade and human capacity development.
China has invested heavily in landmark projects in Nigeria, such as the Lekki Deep Sea Port, Zungeru Hydropower Station, the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano (AKK) Natural Gas Pipeline, Abuja Water Supply Project, and railway modernisation initiatives, which have boosted Nigeria’s economic and social progress.
He noted that bilateral trade reached USD 28 billion in 2025, up more than 28 percent from the previous year, while Chinese direct investment surged to USD 690 million, a 103 percent increase. The envoy described these figures as evidence of the “dynamism and vast potential” of the partnership.
Looking ahead, he outlined four pillars for deepening cooperation: enhancing strategic mutual trust, advancing shared development, strengthening multilateral engagement, and promoting mutual learning among civilisations. The envoy stressed alignment with Nigeria’s national development priorities, support for industrialisation, and commitment to youth, education, and cultural exchanges under the 2026 China–Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges.
In his remarks, Ochogwu said Nigeria-China relations have demonstrated how cooperation between developing countries can contribute to national development while reinforcing principles of non-interference and mutual benefit.
“Chinese-supported infrastructure projects, industrial cooperation, and development financing have played visible roles in addressing structural gaps within Nigeria’s economy. Equally important is China’s engagement with Africa, including Nigeria, within broader South-South cooperation and multilateral frameworks,” he said.
In a welcome address, Onunaiju said, “Fifty-five years of vigorous diplomatic exchange have seen Nigeria maintain the One China Policy, while China has solemnly committed to the indivisibility of Nigeria.”
He noted that the relationship had evolved beyond political alignment into a comprehensive partnership, supported by intergovernmental committees that cover diverse areas of mutual interest.
