The Federal Government is seeking deeper cooperation with China to improve electricity supply, accelerate renewable-energy development and establish stronger domestic capacity for manufacturing power-sector equipment.
Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, said Nigeria wants its relationship with China to deliver not only infrastructure investment but also technology transfer, technical expertise and opportunities for Nigerian businesses.
Tegbe spoke in Abuja at a reception marking the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, where he highlighted the power sector as an area with significant potential for expanded bilateral cooperation.
FG Wants Investment Tied to Local Capacity
The minister said Chinese investment would deliver greater long-term benefits if projects were structured to strengthen Nigerian technical capacity alongside the physical infrastructure being developed.
“As Minister of Power, I see particular promise in deeper cooperation on achieving reliable electricity, renewable energy, and manufacture of power equipment in Nigeria with our cooperation with China,” Tegbe said.
He added that investment should help develop Nigerian engineers and technicians while strengthening local companies and giving the country the expertise needed to operate and maintain infrastructure after construction.
That approach could reduce dependence on imported technical expertise and equipment while creating opportunities for local manufacturers and engineering companies.
Power Remains Major Business Constraint
Reliable electricity remains central to Nigeria’s wider industrial and economic ambitions.
Businesses across manufacturing, retail, technology and other sectors frequently supplement grid electricity with alternative power sources, increasing operating expenses.
Expanding generation alone, however, will not resolve all the challenges within the electricity industry. Nigeria must simultaneously strengthen transmission and distribution infrastructure while attracting investment into renewable and decentralised energy systems.
The Federal Government’s proposed cooperation with China could therefore extend across several parts of the electricity value chain.
Tegbe said relations between Nigeria and China have evolved beyond diplomatic ties into a wider partnership covering infrastructure, healthcare, technical exchanges, trade and investment.
The government’s challenge will be ensuring future power investments deliver commercially sustainable infrastructure while building the domestic expertise required to operate and maintain the projects over the long term.
