- Director-General and Global Liaison of the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership, Joseph Tegbe (middle), with some dignitaries on the sidelines of the Nigeria-China Sustainable Business, Bilateral Trade and Investment Summit in Lagos
By Anthony Nwachukwu
The Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (NCSP) has called for a robust and sustained legislative backing to deepen both countries’ growing economic partnership.
Speaking at the Summit on Legislative Agenda on Ease of Doing Business, the NCSP Director-General, Joseph Tegbe, described the event, which was organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Nigeria-China Parliamentary Relations, as timely toward institutionalising the strategic alliance.
Stating that China is a central economic partner, Tegbe urged the lawmakers to align Nigeria’s legal and regulatory frameworks with global trade realities.
He noted that sustained legislative backing is critical to unlocking the full potential of Chinese investments and translating bilateral commitments into long-term economic growth.
The NCSP D-G called for targeted reforms in trade facilitation, industrial policy, land use, education and environmental legislation, stating that “to fully harness the gains of this partnership, the right legislative instruments must be in place.”
Tegbe further noted that over $15 billion in Chinese investments were currently being facilitated by the NCSP in agriculture, automotive manufacturing, mineral development, oil and gas, and urban mobility.
To exploit this opportunity, he urged Nigerian exporters to take advantage of the Asian giant’s recent zero tariffs on Nigeria and other 52 African nations’ exports to raise their access to Chinese markets.
On his part, the Chairman of the House Committee on Nigeria-China Relations, Jaafaru Yakubu, noted that the event was the first of its kind.
He described the summit as not just a diplomatic gesture but “a step towards eliminating trade bottlenecks, fostering policy coherence and enhancing Nigeria’s global competitiveness.”
Earlier, the House Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda, said the event was “a landmark convergence of policy vision, private-sector innovation and global partnership.”
According to Chinda, who declared the summit open on behalf of the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, noted that Nigeria’s relationship with China has evolved into a comprehensive strategic partnership.
He further emphasised the need for such legislation that unlocks foreign direct investment, modernises infrastructure, and drives innovation in critical sectors of the economy, including agriculture, energy and manufacturing.
The summit is expected to fast track the realisation of Nigeria’s resolve to shift from transactional engagements with China to long-term, transformative partnerships backed by law.
