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Nigeria Target Becoming No.1 Net Exporter to China in the Next Five Years
Nigeria Target Becoming No.1 Net Exporter to China in the Next Five Years
By: Michael Mike
Nigeria has said its target is to become net exporter to China in the next five years, overtaking Brazil which currently stands atop the list with the net export of $104.32 billion.
The country’s ambition was revealed by the Director General, China-Nigeria Partnership, Joseph Tegbe on Thursday at the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo in Abuja,
Tegbe recalled that Nigeria presently has an export $22.6 billion, however said that the narative is about to change with the latest upgrade of China-Nigeria relations into partnership.
Brazil export to China, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade in 2023.
Tegbe. who spoke at the opening of the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo in Abuja, said: “One of our primary goals is to increase trade volume between Nigeria and China. As of December 2003, trade volume between Nigeria and China was over $22 billion
“But on the other hand, when you look at Brazil and China’s relationship, today, Brazil ranks as China’s ninth largest trading country. And during this same period, Brazil’s export to China in 2023 was $105 billion. While China’s export to Brazil was just $59 billion. Thus making Brazil a net exporter to China.
“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, this is our desired position as a nation. For us, the next five years, to push our trade volume between China and Nigeria higher than what it used today and for Nigeria to become a net exporter to China.
“It is also worth noting that industrializing Nigeria means industrializing 25% of Africa. An economically sound and stable Nigeria signifies a prosperous continent of Africa”
He also disclosed that no fewer than 1200 Nigerians are trained yearly by the Chinese firm, Huawei, as a pointer of the new things to come.
Currently, he also said 30 Nigerian officials, drawn from diffferent sectors of the economy are undergoing training.
He said: “The Nigerian-China Strategic Partnership is already making results. As of today, one of China’s companies, Huawei, trains an average of 1,200 Nigerians every year in Nigeria.
“As we speak, 30 Nigerian officials, drawn from various ministries, departments and agencies, are in China, undergoing an intensive training on the governance of China and the strengthening of economic development between China and Nigeria.”
Tegbe stressed the place of Nigeria in the continent, saying: “It is also worth noting that industrializing Nigeria means industrializing 25% of Africa. An economically sound and stable Nigeria signifies a prosperous culture of Africa. “
Speaking on the Expo, the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai said: “This exhibition is an important event organized to implement the outcomes of the Beijing Summit Forum and the consensus reached between our two heads of state. I am pleased to see that this exhibition brings together many outstanding entrepreneurs and innovators in a wide range of fields, including engineering, contracting, advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, energy conservation, environmental protection, and green energy.
“Through the exhibition and exchanges, we believe it can play an important role in further promoting the process of industrialization and agricultural modernization in Nigeria, and facilitate in-depth cooperation between our two countries in all fields.”
On his part, the Chairman, China International Contractors Association,Mr Fang Qiuchen, revealed that Chinese firms are mobilising funds to invest in Nigeria as a fallout of the recent FOCAC summit.
He said: “We want to be together to work on the infrastructure, on the projects, especially on the new energy projects, as well as the digital smart cities, many renovation projects.
“So we are here, we’ll bring the capital, we’ll bring our technology, we’ll also bring the very genuine, honest, we want to collaborate with the Nigerian partners for a very pragmatic cooperation to do some of the works here so that we can grow together to benefit the economic and social development of Nigeria”.
On the funding of infrastructure, Fang said: “So China is also working with a consortium of all the banks together, African banks and China Development Bank. We want to work together to financing more of the projects here in Nigeria, so that they can benefit the economic development.”
Though, he failed to disclosed the amount they are bringing in, he noted that: “The investment we can see is huge, I should say, because the projects are not small, because it’s infrastructure.”
He also added: “As the new round of scientific and technological revolution and digital transformation is on the way, green development and the digital economy have emerged as new engines driving economic growth, presenting vast opportunities for cooperation in green and sustainable infrastructure. Both China and Nigeria are actively exploring the use of advanced technologies, such as big data, cloud computing, and Al, to enhance the intelligence and automation of infrastructure. The integration of digital technology with new infrastructure, the blue economy, and agricultural modernization has emerged as a focal point for cooperation. Furthermore, renewable energy projects, including solar and wind, are gaining increased attention worldwide, further advancing the development and utilization of the clean energy.
“These emerging characteristics and trends not only facilitate the transformation and upgrading of infrastructure cooperation between China and Nigeria, but also inject new impetus for mutual benefit and shared development.”
He also revealed that the Expo is a fallout of the recent Beijing Summit, which aimed to “effectively accelerate the infrastructure cooperation between China and Africa.”
He revealed that: “We planned to hold the China Engineering and Technology Expo and the China-Nigeria Infrastructure Cooperation Forum here in Abuja this year, at the same time, to further strengthen the mutual understanding and trust between the engineering companies of the two sides while exploring new areas and potential opportunities for further cooperation.
“We believe that through the elevation of the bilateral relationship to the comprehensive strategic partnership, and through our joint efforts, the bilateral infrastructure cooperation will for sure yield more fruitful results in the days to come.”
Nigeria Target Becoming No.1 Net Exporter to China in the Next Five Years
War on Terror: NHRC Insists Protection of Civilians Must Be Top Priority
By: Michael Mike
The National Human Rights Commission has issued a strongly worded response to the recent surge in terrorist violence across Nigeria, warning that the country risks deepening insecurity if the protection of civilians is not made the central pillar of national security strategy.
In a statement released by its Executive Secretary, Tony Ojukwu, the Commission conveyed condolences to the Nigerian Armed Forces and to governments and citizens of states hardest hit by the attacks, including Borno State, Niger State, Benue State, Kaduna State, Kwara State, Sokoto State, and Plateau State.
The Commission said it is “deeply concerned” about the increasing frequency, coordination, and geographic spread of attacks, noting that both military formations and civilian targets—including markets, places of worship, and public institutions—have come under sustained assault. Particular concern was raised over coordinated attacks on military bases in the North-East, especially in Borno, and suicide bombings in civilian areas such as Maiduguri.
Ojukwu described the pattern of violence as a “grave and systematic assault” on fundamental rights, including the right to life, dignity, and personal security, as enshrined in Nigeria’s Constitution and international obligations like the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. He stressed that deliberate attacks on civilians and security personnel by non-state armed groups constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law.
Beyond condemnation, the NHRC raised alarm over what it described as an evolving and more dangerous phase of insecurity—marked by coordinated military assaults, mass village raids, suicide bombings, and a widening spread from the North-East into the North-West and North-Central regions.
While acknowledging the sacrifices of the military, the Commission argued that Nigeria must confront a critical gap in its security architecture. “The protection of civilians cannot remain incidental to security operations—it must be their central objective,” Ojukwu said.
To address this, the Commission called for the urgent development and implementation of a comprehensive national policy focused on civilian protection. It said such a framework must place human rights at the core of all security responses, prioritise the prevention of harm in vulnerable communities, enforce accountability for violations by both state and non-state actors, and provide effective support systems for victims and survivors.
The proposed policy, according to the NHRC, should also ensure strict adherence by security forces to the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution in military operations, while strengthening early warning systems and community engagement in high-risk areas.
Ojukwu emphasized that civilians must not be treated as “collateral damage” but as rights-holders whose protection and dignity are non-negotiable. He added that a human rights-based approach to national security is not a sign of weakness but a legal and strategic necessity.
“Global evidence shows that sustainable peace can only be achieved where the state consistently protects the rights of its people,” he noted.
The Commission reaffirmed its solidarity with affected communities and security forces, pledging continued collaboration with the Federal Government, state authorities, and civil society to ensure that Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts reinforce, rather than erode, democratic and human rights principles.
War on Terror: NHRC Insists Protection of Civilians Must Be Top Priority
Troops recover pistol, arrest two suspects in Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops under Operation OPEP have arrested two suspects in possession of a pistol during a stop-and-search operation in Kuru, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau.
Security sources said the incident occurred at about 8:30 p.m. on April 11 while troops of Sector 6 OPEP were conducting routine checks in the area.
According to the sources, the suspects were intercepted with one pistol loaded with four rounds of 9mm ammunition, two mobile phones, a jackknife and the sum of N1,700.
The sources added that the suspects are currently in custody and undergoing interrogation to determine the source of the weapon and possible links to criminal networks.
Troops recover pistol, arrest two suspects in Plateau
Troops recover three kidnapped victims in Bauchi
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of CSI Battalion have recovered three kidnapped victims during a patrol operation in Garin Bagobiri, Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State.
Security sources said the operation was conducted at about 11:30 a.m. on April 12 as troops exploited the general area following an air strike on suspected terrorist hideouts on April 10.
According to the sources, the victims were recovered during the patrol and subsequently profiled by the troops.
They added that the rescued persons were handed over to an internally displaced persons (IDP) camp in Futuk for further care and documentation.
The sources noted that ongoing operations in the area are aimed at consolidating gains from recent offensives and denying terrorists freedom of movement.
Troops recover three kidnapped victims in Bauchi
War on Terror: NHRC Insists Protection of Civilians Must Be Top Priority
Troops recover pistol, arrest two suspects in Plateau
Troops recover three kidnapped victims in Bauchi
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