Uche Cecil Izuora
The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, has called for swift implementation of the Nigeria-China Aquatic Products Protocol, urging that the landmark agreement be translated into higher exports, foreign exchange earnings and stronger opportunities for Nigerian businesses.
The Minister spoke during a courtesy visit and reception after the signing of the Nigeria-China Aquatic Protocol by the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E. Yu Dunhai, accompanied by Zhu Songbo, the Embassy’s Chief of Political Section, and the Deputy Director of the Economic and Commercial Section; the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS), Dr Vincent Isegbe; and representatives of the Federal Ministry of Justice and the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership. The Protocol, concluded after nearly five years of negotiation, grants eligible Nigerian aquatic products zero-tariff access to China’s 1.4-billion-consumer market.
Welcoming the Ambassador, the Minister thanked him for his continued support to the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (NCSP) in promoting Nigeria-China trade and business relationship, which has culminated into a trade volume of $18 billion for the first half of 2026, compared to $28 billion for the entire year 2025. He said the Protocol’s success would help fast-track other initiatives, including the Zero Tariff Agreement for African countries, and urged Nigerian exporters to move quickly to capture the opportunity.
Ambassador Yu reaffirmed the Embassy’s commitment to supporting implementation and facilitating qualified Nigerian exports into the Chinese market, describing the Minister’s appointment as a testament to his leadership, vision and pragmatism. He cited a 35-percent rise in bilateral trade and an 80-percent increase in Nigerian exports in H1 2026 as evidence of untapped potential for cooperation with Nigeria, and assured the Minister of the Chinese government’s support as Nigeria seeks to modernize and expand its power system.
In his remarks, NAQS’s Comptroller-General reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to compliance support and flagged potential for similar market-access deals in other agricultural and fishery products, noting that world aquatic products demand could double Nigeria’s exports to China if properly leveraged. The private sector, represented by Atlantic Shrimpers, whose engagement with the Chinese market dates to 2018 — said it is ready to begin exports and has already identified buyers.
Stakeholders agreed to prioritize implementation and measurable outcomes, with the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership to continue driving deeper economic cooperation, increased exports and sustainable opportunities for Nigerian businesses.