23/06/2026
CHINA’S ENVOY TO NIGERIA ADVOCATES DEEPER BILATERAL TIES, ORANGE ECONOMY GROWTH AT NIPSS
The Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Nigeria, His Excellency Yu Dunhai, has called for stronger Nigeria–China cooperation in industrialisation, technology transfer, manufacturing, agriculture, and the creative economy, describing the orange economy as a new frontier for economic growth and youth employment.
Speaking at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, Ambassador Yu delivered a lecture entitled “Nigeria–China Relations and the Orange Economy: Opportunities for Nigeria” to participants of the Senior Executive Course (SEC) 48.
The Chinese envoy outlined the key factors driving China’s economic transformation, identifying good governance, visionary leadership, strategic planning, reforms, openness, and sustained economic growth as essential pillars of national development. He noted that China’s consistent implementation of five-year development plans has provided clear developmental direction, established priorities, and ensured measurable outcomes.
According to the Ambassador, nations that isolate themselves risk being left behind in an increasingly interconnected world. While encouraging countries to learn from the experiences of others, he emphasised that development models must be adapted to local realities, describing Nigeria as a country with immense potential and unique opportunities.
He identified industrialisation and digitisation as major drivers of economic growth, stressing that manufacturing remains a catalyst for the expansion of other sectors of the economy. Ambassador Yu expressed China’s readiness to partner with Nigeria in strengthening its manufacturing capacity and accelerating industrial development.
On agriculture, the Ambassador advocated deeper cooperation between both countries, noting that increased Nigerian exports to China would boost economic growth and strengthen bilateral trade relations. He observed that manufacturing and industrial expansion would create employment opportunities for Nigeria’s growing youth population.
Addressing emerging technologies, Ambassador Yu stated that the digital economy is transforming the global economic landscape and maintained that developing countries should have access to advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, to support their development aspirations.
The Chinese envoy described the orange economy as a new engine of growth and acknowledged Nigeria’s comparative advantage in the creative sector, particularly in film, music, and entertainment. He encouraged stakeholders to leverage digital platforms to showcase Nigerian culture and stories to global audiences while exploring opportunities for collaboration between Nigeria and China in the creative and cultural industries.
He also emphasised the need for increased investment in education, renewable energy, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), describing reliable electricity as the lifeblood of industrialisation and sustainable economic development.
According to him, SMEs remain critical drivers of innovation, employment, and economic growth, while economic stability, rapid growth, and the protection of intellectual property rights are essential for attracting investment and fostering innovation.
Speaking on bilateral relations, Ambassador Yu said Nigeria–China cooperation is anchored on the principles of mutual respect, mutual benefit, and shared development, adding that both countries possess enormous opportunities for deeper economic and strategic collaboration.
The lecture ended with an interactive session during which participants engaged the Ambassador on issues relating to technology transfer, industrialisation, youth employment, economic cooperation, and opportunities within the orange economy which offered SEC 48 participants valuable insights into China’s development experience.