Nigeria must harness China ties for industrial leap – Sanusi

2026-02-11 - 15:48

By Favour Ulebor, Abuja The Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, has called on Nigeria to strategically leverage its 55-year-old diplomatic relationship with China to accelerate industrialization, warning that neighboring countries could outpace Nigeria if urgent action is not taken. Speaking at the 55th anniversary of Nigeria-China diplomatic relations in Abuja, Sanusi said, “We need to sit down and have a clear, focused diplomatic strategy. If we do not move, our younger brothers will get there ahead of us.” Recalling his family’s historic connection to China, Sanusi noted that his father, Ambassador Aminu Sanusi, served as Nigeria’s first envoy to China in 1971. He highlighted China’s transformation over the past five decades. He emphasized Nigeria’s strategic opportunity with Chinese industrial relocation. He said, “From 700 million people living in poverty, China lifted more than 700 million out of poverty and now produces more graduates than the entire population of the United States. Nigeria must learn from this. “Low-value industries are moving out of China. We need to ensure Nigeria becomes its destination, not Ghana or Benin, so that we can host production, create jobs, and generate revenue “Now today, wages in China are about $500, $600 an hour. These low-value industries in China are getting out, and they’re exporting them, taking them out of China. The Chinese are moving toward high-tech production, including computers, chips, and electronics. “We need to think strategically about our mission in China, and sit with them and say, how do we move these production facilities from the mainland to Nigeria? With the African potential free trade agreement, if we are not here, what’s the country going to do? “The Chinese will come and set up factories in Cotonou, in Accra, and they’re producing, if not for the markets in Benin, which is very small, but for Nigeria. So the Republic of Benin, the Republic of Ghana, will have all the value added, all the employment, all the income, all the taxes, and will continue to be the consumers. “We need to make sure, since we are the biggest market for African potential free trade agreements, we need to make sure that we have the hub for manufacturing and production. “So we produce in Nigeria, sell in Nigeria, and export to West Africa, rather than remain here with our youth unemployed, with our manufacturing sector borrowed, while we continue to consume goods that we used to import from China, but we’re now importing from Accra and Cotonou. This is a message that I hope the government will think about seriously as we talk about economic policy,” He said. The Director of the Centre for China Studies (CCS), Charles Onunaiju, said the 55-year milestone reflects a strong, evolving partnership. He recalled Nigeria’s historic role in returning China to the United Nations in 1971 and stressed that bilateral trade, which reached over $22 billion last year, can drive Nigeria’s structural transformation. He said, “Nigeria can leverage China’s market access, through initiatives like the 15th Five-Year Plan, to diversify its economy, move from exporting raw materials to value-added goods, and gain new foreign exchange,” he said. Representing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Director of Asia and Pacific Division MFA, Muhammed Haidara, noted that China’s Zero Tariff Treatment (ZTT) offers Nigerian producers incentives to expand in agro-processing, textiles, leather, and other value-added sectors. He said, “Opportunities do not convert themselves into outcomes. Nigeria must confront constraints like infrastructure, standards, and market intelligence, while deepening cooperation in investment, technology transfer, and capacity building,” Haidara said. China’s Chargé d’Affaires to Nigeria, Zhou Hongyou, reaffirmed China’s commitment to the partnership. He highlighted landmark projects, including the Lekki Deep Sea Port, Zungeru Hydropower Station, Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano Gas Pipeline, and infrastructure modernization initiatives. He said, “China stands ready to support Nigeria’s industrialization and modernization efforts and ensure that the benefits of our cooperation reach the people of both countries.” Director-General of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, described the anniversary as a platform for reflection and strategic planning. According to him, Nigeria-China cooperation has strengthened national development while reinforcing non-interference and mutual benefit. Vanguard News