Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has urged for stronger strategic collaboration between Nigeria and China to drive lasting improvements in the country’s electricity sector. His remarks came during a meeting with the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, against the backdrop of a $3.9 billion Chinese investment in two major power projects.
Adelabu praised the depth of existing relations between both nations, noting that trade volume has already grown to about $20 billion. He highlighted China’s pivotal role in Nigeria’s energy infrastructure, pointing to the $1.4 billion Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Plant and the $2.5 billion transmission project for the Eastern and Western super grid, financed by Chinese institutions.
He stressed that Nigeria, as Africa’s largest economy, and China, as Asia’s biggest, share a partnership of significant importance. To further strengthen it, he proposed regular quarterly meetings to evaluate progress across different segments of the power sector.
While commending China’s support, Adelabu also emphasized two pressing issues. He called on Chinese firms to invest in developing local capacity by training Nigerian workers and ensuring effective knowledge transfer. In addition, he appealed to the Chinese government to curb the production of substandard goods destined for Nigeria, insisting that only quality products should be allowed into the country. According to him, the presence of inferior products undermines both China’s reputation and the welfare of Nigerian consumers.
Responding, Ambassador Yu Dunhai reaffirmed Nigeria’s place as a central partner in China’s Africa policy and pledged full embassy support. He acknowledged the sweeping reforms underway in Nigeria’s power sector and the weight of responsibility on Adelabu’s shoulders, describing electricity as the “blood of industry” and assuring China’s readiness to deepen cooperation.
