Roland Iwuchukwu
Several Chinese Companies are jostling to make investment in Nigeria’s burgeoning oil and gas industry following the conclusion of the Nigeria-China Sustainable Business Bilateral Trade and Investment Summit in Lagos.
About216 Chinese investors have already indicated interest to invest in various sectors of the Nigerian oil and gas sector.
The Executive Vice-Chairman/CEO of Merited Negotiation Consulting, Dr Kunle Yusuff attributed the positive outcomes of the summit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s socioeconomic and foreign policies.
“The participants were impressed by the potential for sustainable business collaborations between Nigeria and China, and look forward to exploring the opportunity to participate in the China Summit on 16th of October 2025.
“As the Consultant, Merited Negotiation Consulting driving the process for the National Assembly, it’s my pleasure to announce that the China Summit is already scheduled to be held on the 16th of October in China. The proactiveness of PBAT on Foreign policy, National Assembly Legislative Agenda on Nigeria-China Relations, the efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Director General, Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership and Global Liaison and NIPC has positioned 216 Chinese investors readily available to invest in Nigeria through Direct Investment Funds.
“The breakdown of their interests is as follows: Oil and Gas: 41 investors; Fintech: 17 investors; Agricultural Business: 53 investors; Trading and Manufacturing: 62 investors; Mining and Solid Minerals: 23 investors; ICT: 33 investors; Training and Capacity Building: 30 investors; Infrastructure and Project Finance: 25 investors and Pharmaceutical Companies : 25.
“This presents a significant opportunity for Nigerian CEOs to tap into China’s partnership funding network system, fostering economic growth and development in various sectors.
“The outcomes of the Summit will definitely increase Investments. The summit led to increased investments in Nigeria’s key sectors, including infrastructure and agriculture as well as creating jobs and stimulating economic growth in Nigeria.
Dr. Yusuf disclosed that engagement is ongoing with China Embassy and China Chamber of Commerce in Nigeria on the issue of Visa processing and enabling environment for participation of Nigeria’s CEOs who will be attending China Summit.
“The agreement signed last year by the PBAT with the Chinese President has further strengthened Business Bilateral Trade and Investment Relationships between Nigeria and China,” he noted.
According to him, the Nigeria-China Sustainable Business Bilateral Trade and Investment Summit was attended by key stakeholders from Nigeria and China to explore opportunities for sustainable business collaborations and investments.
Some of the stakeholders who attended are: Speaker Hon Tajudeen Abbas, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State; Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State; Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State; Governor Demola Adeleke of Osun State; .Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Minister of Blue Economy and Marine, Chief Adegboyega Oyetola, and Minister of Solid Minerals, Mr. Dele Alake.
Others include: Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Yu Duhai; Chinese Consulate General, Lagos, Yan Yuqing; President of China Chamber of Commerce in Nigeria, Ye Shuijin; Director General, China Chamber of Commerce, Tristan Cui; Director General, Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership and Global Liaison, Joseph Tegbe; among others.
According to him, the summit featured high-level participation from Nigerian and Chinese government officials, business leaders, and investors, recorded 175 CEOs of known Nigeria companies, 115 CEOs of Chinese Companies in China, 65 Business leaders and Entrepreneurs, 25 Financial Advisors, 17 State Chairmen, Chamber of Commerce, 10 Serving House of Representatives Committee members, 56 Federal Government Officials from various MDAs, 7 Free Trade Zones, including Delta State Special Economic Free Trade Zone, Lekki Free Trade Zones Company, Alaro City Free Trade Zone, Ogun Guangdong Free Trade Zone (OGFTZ).
It provided a platform for meaningful engagements between Nigerian and Chinese businesses, leading to several memoranda of understanding (MOUs) and partnership agreements.