Yu Dunhai, the Chinese ambassador to Nigeria, made this revelation on Saturday at the Chinese Cultural Center in Abuja during the 2025 Chinese Lunar New Year celebration.
Ambassador Yu spoke at the ceremony and emphasized the importance of Nigeria to China’s commercial alliances throughout Africa.
“Last year, the trade volume between China and Nigeria exceeded $20 billion. Nigeria is our largest engineering contract partner, the second-largest export market, and the third-largest trade partner in Africa,” he said.
“We aim to increase our trade volume even higher because of the immense potential we see in Nigeria,” he said, expressing optimism about future cooperation between the two countries.
Following President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Nigeria, the ambassador also highlighted the two countries’ wider relationship, which was recently upgraded to a comprehensive strategic partnership.
He emphasized the value of people-to-people and cultural contacts in fostering closer bilateral relations.
Oraeluno Obi Raphael, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, tourist, and Creative Economy, commended the expanding economic and cultural ties between the two nations and said that China has made significant contributions to Nigeria’s tourist and cultural industries.
“Collaborative efforts in trade, tourism, and the creative economy have not only enriched our societies but also opened avenues for economic growth and mutual prosperity,” Raphael said