Joseph Tegbe, director-general of the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (NCSP)
Joseph Tegbe, director-general of the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (NCSP), says Nigeria is intensifying efforts to ensure locally manufactured products gain access to China and other Asian markets.
Speaking during a media interactive session in Abuja, Tegbe reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening bilateral collaboration between Nigeria and China, to advance the country’s industrial and economic growth.
He said a core focus of the NCSP is to address the trade imbalance between the two nations.
“Since we took over this role, we said there are two things we want to achieve. China has been a great trading partner to Nigeria,” Tegbe said.
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“Trade volume between Nigeria and China was about $23 billion. Only $2.3 billion was export from Nigeria.
“Our desire and our objective is to change that narrative. To address the trade imbalance between Nigeria and China. Others have done it. We can do it in Nigeria. In five years’ time, we want to be the net exporter to China.”
Tegbe said the NCSP is actively coordinating investments, facilitating stakeholder engagement, and ensuring due diligence in all Nigeria-China dealings to secure long-term economic benefits.
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He also emphasised the agency’s mandate to oversee the implementation of projects under the forum on China-Africa cooperation (FOCAC), while also pursuing independent partnerships that can drive national development.
“Our focus is to ensure that Nigeria not only implements FOCAC projects efficiently but also leverages Chinese expertise, technology, and financing to reactivate Nigeria’s manufacturing and industrial sectors,” he said.
“We are paving the way for Nigerian products to gain access to Chinese and broader Asian markets while accelerating the execution of strategic, game-changing national development projects later this year.”
He noted recent engagements have secured investment commitments exceeding $20 billion in key sectors such as agriculture, automotive manufacturing, mining, steel production, and energy.
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These investments, he added, are expected to strengthen food security, generate employment, and spark a new wave of industrial development across the country.
