In a renewed push to accelerate the execution of strategic agreements with the People’s Republic of China, the Federal Government of Nigeria has reconvened a high-level inter-ministerial follow-up session aimed at fast-tracking bilateral cooperation and unlocking critical development funding.
The meeting, jointly organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (NCSP), brought together senior representatives from key Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to evaluate progress made since the 2024 Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s landmark state visit to Beijing.
Chaired by Ambassador Janet Olisa, Director of Regions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the session was a coordinated effort to turn commitments made on paper into actionable projects across Nigeria’s priority sectors.
“This is a crucial period for us to ensure the agreements signed are translated into visible developmental results. We must move from signing MOUs to implementation that positively impacts the lives of Nigerians,” Ambassador Olisa stated, emphasizing the Federal Government’s commitment to inclusive economic development through its strategic partnership with China.
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The focal points of the meeting included tackling legal and institutional bottlenecks, harmonizing implementation strategies, and ensuring Nigeria’s timely and effective access to its expected share of China’s $51 billion green infrastructure pledge for Africa.
Nigeria is eyeing at least $10 billion from this pool, which it intends to channel into transformative projects in agriculture, digital economy, renewable energy, and critical infrastructure.
Director-General of the NCSP, Mr. Joseph Tegbe, highlighted the strategic significance of the partnership and urged all MDAs to operate with urgency and precision.
“This partnership offers Nigeria a unique opportunity to unlock catalytic investments that will drive job creation, economic diversification, and long-term prosperity. But we must be proactive and coordinated,” Tegbe said.
During the session, MDAs submitted situation reports and proposed pathways to accelerate project execution. Key resolutions adopted include:
Harmonization of legal and institutional frameworks to streamline decision-making and reduce delays.
Alignment of project roadmaps and timelines across MDAs to ensure cohesive implementation.
Optimization of budgetary allocations to match priority areas with funding access.
Establishment of inter-agency technical committees to oversee sector-specific execution and compliance.
Participants also explored modalities for tapping into green financing mechanisms under China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), with a focus on how Nigeria can leverage these instruments to support its Renewed Hope Agenda.
A follow-up review session is scheduled to take place in the coming weeks to assess the progress of implementation and address any emerging challenges. In the meantime, the respective MDAs will continue to hold technical working sessions aimed at resolving operational gaps and aligning project frameworks.
The Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership continues to serve as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s foreign policy and economic reform strategy, reinforcing the Tinubu administration’s commitment to sustainable development and global economic integration.