By Gabriel Ameh
📍Abuja | Media Report
Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening industrial cooperation with China, following the successful conclusion of a high-level international seminar on industrialisation held in Beijing.
Speaking at the joint closing ceremony of the Seminar on Industrial Cooperation and New Industrialisation under the Global Development Initiative, the Spokesperson of Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, described the programme as “intellectually enriching and transformative.”
Ebienfa, who spoke on behalf of over 130 participants from 10 countries across Africa, Asia, Oceania, and Latin America, expressed deep appreciation to the Academy for International Business Officials (AIBO) and the Chinese Government for organising the seminar and facilitating participation.
He noted that the programme provided participants with critical insights into China’s industrial policies, technological innovation, and development strategies, which have driven the country’s rapid economic transformation.
According to him, site visits to key infrastructure hubs including the Suzhou Industrial Park and the Suzhou-Changshu Economic and Technological Zone offered practical exposure to cutting-edge industrial systems powered by clean energy and advanced technology.
“The lessons from China’s development model highlight the importance of people-centered policies, effective resource utilization, and strategic cooperation in achieving sustainable growth and improved living standards,” he said.
Ebienfa emphasized that for Sub-Saharan Africa, the experience serves as a wake-up call to harness its youthful population and abundant natural resources to drive industrial development.
He also underscored the importance of strengthening bilateral relations between Nigeria and China, noting that both countries stand to gain from deeper collaboration in areas of mutual interest.
The Nigerian delegation further acknowledged China’s continued support for capacity building and infrastructure development in Nigeria, describing the partnership as mutually beneficial and forward-looking.
Ebienfa concluded by expressing confidence that participants would return to their respective countries as ambassadors of industrial cooperation, committed to applying the knowledge gained to foster inclusive growth and global prosperity.
