President Bola Tinubu has outlined an ambitious strategy to transform the nation into a net exporter to China within five years. This announcement follows China’s historic removal of tariffs on imports from 53 African countries, including Nigeria — a policy shift expected to reshape bilateral trade dynamics and unlock significant economic opportunities for Nigerian exporters.
Speaking through Joseph Tegbe, Director-General of the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership, at the Nigeria-China Sustainable Business, Bilateral Trade and Investment Summit in Lagos, President Tinubu detailed a roadmap for leveraging the tariff-free access to China’s vast consumer market. The summit, which gathered business leaders, lawmakers, and foreign policy experts, came just a week after Beijing’s implementation of the zero-tariff regime on a wide array of African goods, ranging from agricultural produce to cosmetics and personal care items.
President Tinubu identified ten key areas where Nigeria stands to benefit, including agriculture, manufacturing, digital trade, green energy, and mineral extraction. Notable Chinese investment commitments in Nigeria were highlighted, such as:
A $1 billion integrated agricultural investment portfolio
An $800 million cassava value chain initiative
A $1 billion electric vehicle battery and mineral extraction programme
A $1.2 billion automotive manufacturing initiative
A $10 billion investment proposal in the oil and gas sector
These investments, Tinubu emphasized, present a unique opportunity to “re-industrialise Nigeria” and drive non-oil exports under the new zero-tariff agreement.
“The partnership for trade prosperity reflects China’s commitment to zero-tariff access for least-developed countries, including Nigeria,” Tinubu said. “This is an unprecedented gesture by a major economic power and positions Nigeria to exploit China’s vast consumer market.”
Tinubu also underlined Nigeria’s strategic relevance in China’s Belt and Road Initiative, which proposes 30 major infrastructure projects across Africa. With the Lekki Deep Seaport already attracting Chinese investment, Nigeria’s ports and transport corridors are set to serve as continental trade hubs.
To ensure Nigeria maximizes this opportunity, Tinubu called on the National Assembly to enact critical legislation. He urged lawmakers to implement trade facilitation reforms, tariff harmonisation, and Customs streamlining. Additionally, he proposed updates to land use policies, industrial laws, and the enactment of policies supporting agro-tech transfer, food security, and clean energy adoption.
“The legislature’s support in creating an enabling legal environment is irreplaceable,” Tinubu stated. “We need laws that unlock capital flows, encourage technology transfer, and eliminate trade bottlenecks.”
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas — represented by Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda — pledged legislative backing through a comprehensive bill aimed at boosting trade facilitation and aligning Nigeria’s economic frameworks with global standards.
“Strengthening legislative ties in trade with China is crucial,” Chinda said. “The House will continue to deepen the partnership through concrete legislative actions on ease of doing business.”
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, represented by Bolaji Akinremi, echoed the need for balanced trade relations. He stressed the importance of reciprocity, urging Nigeria to shift from a passive trade relationship to a more robust partnership where the Nigerian private sector thrives.
“Reciprocity clauses are needed to address the trade imbalance between Nigeria and China,” Tuggar said, calling on Nigeria to lead ECOWAS in positioning West Africa as a unified trade bloc.
Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Yu Dunhai, expressed China’s eagerness to import more made-in-Nigeria goods.
“We are promoting Nigerian exports to China,” Dunhai said. “We want to see made-in-Nigeria goods flood the Chinese market.”
With China’s zero-tariff window now open, Nigeria’s export potential is set for a dramatic leap — provided the government implements enabling reforms and galvanizes both private and public sectors. As China looks to deepen its trade ties with Africa, Nigeria is positioning itself at the forefront of this economic shift, aiming to not only balance trade but also build sustainable, industrial growth.