NCSP DG Salutes China On Spring Festival, Unveils Push For Export-Driven Economic Reset
By Bukar BOLORI
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 symbolic of a renewed and more ambitious phase in Nigeria–China economic relations.
In a statement marking the Lunar New Year, Tegbe noted that this year’s festivities coincide with the 55th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Nigeria and China, established in 1971.
He said the milestone reflects a resilient partnership that has grown from formal diplomatic engagement into one of Africa’s most consequential economic relationships.
According to him, the relationship—now elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership—has expanded beyond trade to encompass infrastructure financing, industrial investment, technology cooperation and people-to-people exchanges.
He said China remains Nigeria’s largest trading partner and a major contributor to strategic infrastructure projects spanning rail, ports, power and industrial parks.
Tegbe, however, stressed that the next chapter of engagement must go beyond infrastructure development to focus on value addition, manufacturing and export competitiveness.
He 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.
The policy, he said, opens a pathway for Nigerian producers to access one of the world’s largest consumer markets under preferential trade terms.
“The Zero-Tariff arrangement provides Nigerian businesses with an unprecedented opportunity to scale exports, deepen industrial processing and create jobs at home,” Tegbe stated.
“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 engaging stakeholders across manufacturing, agriculture and export promotion agencies to ensure Nigeria maximises the preferential trade window and translates diplomatic goodwill into measurable economic gains.
Tegbe added that as both countries commemorate 55 years of diplomatic engagement, the symbolism of the Spring Festival—renewal, growth and prosperity—mirrors what he described as a strategic recalibration of bilateral ties toward sustainable development and shared prosperity.
“With deliberate execution and policy discipline, this next phase of Nigeria–China relations can redefine our export landscape and strengthen industrial capacity,” he said.
Observers say the renewed emphasis on export diversification signals a broader shift in Nigeria’s foreign economic strategy, positioning China not just as an infrastructure partner but as a gateway for industrial expansion and global market access.
