China has expressed willingness to deepen investment in Nigeria’s manufacturing sector as concerns over trade imbalance, import dependence and competition between Chinese businesses and local traders featured prominently at a meeting with Nigerian media executives in Lagos.
The Chinese Consulate General in Lagos said increased investment in local production could create jobs, facilitate skills transfer and support Nigeria’s industrial development, while encouraging Nigerian businesses to take advantage of opportunities in the Chinese market.
Mr. Xu Fan, Director of Bilateral Relations and Commerce at the Chinese Consulate General in Lagos, made the remarks during an engagement with media executives that examined Nigeria-China relations, trade, investment and media cooperation.
Xu disclosed that bilateral trade between Nigeria and China reached approximately $28 billion in 2025, describing the figure as evidence of the growing economic relationship between the two countries.
He also highlighted China’s position as Nigeria’s largest market for engineering contractors and second-largest export market, while noting that China had become Nigeria’s third-largest trading partner in Africa.
However, the discussions raised concerns about the imbalance in trade between both countries, Nigeria’s dependence on imported goods and complaints by Nigerian traders that some Chinese businesses were competing with them in the retail market.
Responding, Xu acknowledged the concerns but argued that clearer regulatory boundaries between wholesale and retail operations could help address the situation without excluding Chinese businesses from Nigeria.
He said the Chinese Embassy had engaged Chinese traders, market authorities and other stakeholders to explore practical solutions.
The diplomat also advocated a shift from a relationship largely driven by trade in finished products towards greater Chinese investment in Nigerian factories and production facilities.
According to him, increased local manufacturing would create employment opportunities, transfer technical skills and contribute to Nigeria’s industrial growth.
The meeting also examined opportunities for Nigerian agricultural products to gain greater access to the Chinese market following China’s decision to extend zero-tariff treatment to 53 African countries with which it maintains diplomatic relations, including Nigeria.
Xu identified sesame, cashew nuts and cocoa among the products that could benefit from improved market access, subject to applicable rules of origin, inspection and quarantine requirements.
He urged Nigerian businesses to improve product quality, strengthen branding and meet the relevant export standards to take advantage of the opportunities.
The issue of illegal mining involving some Chinese nationals in Nigeria also featured during the engagement.
Xu distinguished between law-abiding Chinese investors and individuals involved in illegal activities, stressing that violations of Nigerian laws were unacceptable.
He said Chinese diplomatic authorities were cooperating with Nigerian institutions by providing information and supporting efforts to identify Chinese nationals suspected of involvement in illegal mining.
The diplomat maintained that the Chinese government would not shield individuals found to have violated Nigerian laws.
Beyond trade and investment, the engagement addressed China’s One-China Principle and the responsibilities of the media in reporting sensitive diplomatic issues.
Xu urged Nigerian journalists to distinguish between reporting on Taiwan and using descriptions that could suggest the island was a sovereign state separate from China.
He cited United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 of 1971 and Nigeria’s diplomatic recognition of the People’s Republic of China, arguing that the One-China Principle remained central to diplomatic relations between Beijing and Abuja.
He also recalled Nigeria’s reaffirmation of the principle during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s state visit to China in September 2024.
However, Nigerian media executives emphasised that editorial independence and journalists’ freedom to report matters of public interest must be respected, arguing that disagreements over diplomatic terminology should be addressed through dialogue and the right of reply.
The session was convened by Peter OgbonnaEze, representative of Buffalo and Bay Media, and featured Ambassador Anderson Madubike, a former Nigerian High Commissioner to Australia, former Consul General in Shanghai and former Chargé d’Affaires to South Africa.
Eze described Nigeria-China relations as a partnership that had expanded into infrastructure, education, technology, agriculture, trade, investment and people-to-people exchanges.
Madubike, drawing on his diplomatic experience, said the media played a critical role in sustaining bilateral relations by providing reliable information, shaping public perceptions and promoting mutual understanding.
He also called for greater attention to the experiences of Nigerian students, entrepreneurs and traders in China, alongside those of Chinese investors, engineers and business operators in Nigeria.
In his concluding remarks, Xu described Nigerian media organisations as “partners and friends, not enemies,” and offered to strengthen cooperation through professional exchanges, training programmes, seminars, media delegations and joint initiatives.
The engagement underscored the need for Nigeria-China cooperation to deliver greater benefits through local manufacturing, employment creation, technology transfer and expanded export opportunities, while maintaining respect for Nigeria’s laws and the independence of its media.
