Tegbe urges swift action on Nigeria-China aquatic export deal

Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, has called for the swift implementation of the Nigeria-China Aquatic Products Protocol, saying the landmark agreement must be converted into increased exports, foreign exchange earnings and greater opportunities for Nigerian businesses.

Tegbe made the call when he received the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E. Yu Dunhai, who visited alongside the Embassy’s Chief of Political Section, Zhu Songbo, and the Deputy Director of the Economic and Commercial Section.

The delegation also included the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS), Dr Vincent Isegbe, representatives of the Federal Ministry of Justice and officials of the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership.

The protocol, concluded after nearly five years of negotiations, provides eligible Nigerian aquatic products with zero-tariff access to China’s vast market of about 1.4 billion consumers.

Welcoming Ambassador Yu, Tegbe commended his continued support for the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (NCSP), particularly efforts to deepen trade and business relations between both countries.

He noted that bilateral trade had reached $18 billion in the first half of 2026, compared with $28 billion recorded for the whole of 2025.

According to the Minister, effective implementation of the aquatic products agreement would demonstrate the benefits of bilateral economic cooperation and could accelerate other initiatives, including the proposed Zero Tariff Agreement for African countries.

He therefore urged Nigerian exporters and businesses to move quickly to take advantage of the newly opened Chinese market.

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Ambassador Yu reaffirmed the Chinese Embassy’s commitment to supporting the implementation of the protocol and facilitating the entry of qualified Nigerian aquatic products into China.

He described Tegbe’s appointment as evidence of his leadership, vision and pragmatism, while highlighting the growing economic relationship between the two countries.

The envoy disclosed that bilateral trade increased by 35 per cent in the first half of 2026, while Nigerian exports to China rose by 80 per cent during the same period.

Yu said the figures demonstrated the significant untapped potential for expanded economic cooperation between Nigeria and China. He also assured the Minister of the Chinese government’s continued support for Nigeria’s efforts to modernise and expand its power sector.

The NAQS Comptroller-General, Isegbe, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to helping exporters meet regulatory and compliance requirements necessary to access the Chinese market.

He also identified opportunities for similar market-access agreements covering other Nigerian agricultural and fishery products.

Isegbe said the growing global demand for aquatic products could potentially double Nigeria’s exports to China if the opportunity created by the protocol was properly harnessed.

Representing the private sector, Atlantic Shrimpers said it was prepared to commence exports to China, adding that it had been engaging the Chinese market since 2018 and had already identified potential buyers.

Stakeholders at the meeting agreed that implementation of the protocol should be treated as a priority, with emphasis on measurable export growth and tangible economic outcomes.

The Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership is expected to continue coordinating efforts to deepen bilateral economic cooperation, expand Nigerian exports and create sustainable opportunities for businesses under the new market-access arrangement.