The Executive Vice- Chairman/CEO Merited Negotiation Consulting and National Assembly Consultant on Nigeria-China Relations, Kunle Yusuff, MON, has affirmed that the Nigeria-China Sustainable Business Bilateral Trade and Investment Summit was a resounding success.
Yusuff, in a statement made available to newspaper said that the summit, held on June 23, 2025, at the Oriental Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos, successfully united key stakeholders from both countries to explore sustainable business partnerships and investment opportunities.
“Today marks a significant step in fostering partnerships between Nigeria and China, paving the way for sustainable growth and development,” said Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives.
Prominent attendees included several state governors, including,
His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborovwori, The Executive Governor, Delta State, His Excellency, Dapo Abiodun, The Executive Governor, Ogun State, His Excellency, Alh. Abba Kabir Yusuf, The Executive Governor, Kano State, His Excellency, Ademola Adeleke, The Executive Governor, Osun State.
Others were Amb. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs, His. Excellency, Adegboyega Oyetola, Hon. Minister of Blue Economy and Marine, Dele Alake, Hon. Minister of Solid Minerals, His Excellency, Amb. Yu Duhai, Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yan Yuqing, Chinese Consular General, Lagos, Ye Shuijin, President of China Chamber of Commerce in Nigeria, Tristan Cui, Director General, China Chamber of Commerce, Joseph O. Tegbe, Director General, Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership and Global Liaison, Wole Oke, Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs, Hon. Alhassan Ado Doguwa, Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Upstream, Hon. Akin Alabi, Chairman House Committee on Works.
Hon. Uche H. Okonkwo,
Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, CCE, NUPRC, Princess Zahrah Audu, Director General, PEBEC, Aisa Rimi, Executive Secretary, NIPC, Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, Director-General, SON, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, MD/CEO, NPA, Dr. Olufemi Ogunyemi, MD/CEO, NEPZA, Nonyen Ayeni, MD/CEO, NEPC, MD/CEO, Wema Bank, Hussain Ishaq Magaji, SAN, Registar General, CAC, Bamanga Usman Jada, MD/CEO, Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority, Dr. Adesina Agboluaje, Former Director General, NEPZA, Moses Kpughur Tule, PhD, Former Director, Monetary Policy, CBN, Otunba Dele Kelvin, Former President, NACCIMA, Prof. Nasir Naeem Abdulsalam, MD/CEO, Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited, Barry. Adeleke Oladimeji, MD, Tripple Insurance Broker, Prince Adedamola Aderemi, Dr. Hafsat Balewa and Dr. Jelhil Tafawa Balewa.
The summit featured high-level participation from Nigerian and Chinese government officials, business leaders, and investors, recorded 175 CEOs of known Nigeria companies, 115 CEOs of Chinese Companies in China, 65 Business leaders and Entrepreneurs, 25 Financial Advisors, 17 State Chairmen, Chamber of Commerce, 10 Serving House of Representatives Committee members, 56 Federal Government Officials from various MDAs, 7 Free Trade Zones, including Delta State Special Economic Free Trade Zone, Lekki Free Trade Zones Company, Alaro City Free Trade Zone, Ogun Guangdong Free Trade Zone (OGFTZ).
The summit also welcomed Amb. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Amb. Yu Duhai, the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, among other influential business leaders and government officials.
“The level of engagement we’ve seen today demonstrates the strong commitment from both nations to explore collaborative opportunities,” noted Amb. Yu Duhai.
With participation from 175 Nigerian CEOs, 115 Chinese CEOs, and numerous business leaders and financial advisors, the summit facilitated significant networking and collaboration.
Participants engaged in discussions that led to multiple memoranda of understanding (MOUs) and partnership agreements, particularly focusing on investment opportunities in infrastructure, agriculture, and manufacturing.
“This summit has opened doors for meaningful partnerships that will drive economic growth in both countries,” emphasised Dele Alake, Hon. Minister of Solid Minerals.
The summit highlighted China’s readiness to invest in Nigeria, with 216 Chinese investors expressing interest across various sectors, including oil and gas, fintech, and agriculture.
This presents a substantial opportunity for Nigerian businesses to leverage Chinese investment and foster economic growth.
“The interest from Chinese investors is a testament to the potential of Nigeria’s market,” said Ye Shuijin, President of the China Chamber of Commerce in Nigeria.
Looking ahead, the China Summit is scheduled for October 16, 2025, furthering the dialogue between the two nations. Merited Negotiation Consulting is actively coordinating with the Chinese Embassy and the China Chamber of Commerce to facilitate visa processing for Nigerian CEOs attending the upcoming summit.
“We are committed to ensuring that Nigerian businesses have the necessary support to participate effectively in the China Summit.
“The outcomes of this summit, according to him, are anticipated to bolster investments, create jobs, and strengthen bilateral relations between Nigeria and China, paving the way for future collaborations.
“This summit is just the beginning of a fruitful relationship that will benefit both nations.
“As the Consultant for the Summit, Merited Negotiation Consulting, (www.mencc.org), driving the process for the National Assembly, it is my pleasure to announce that China Summit is already scheduled to hold on the 16th of October in China.
The proactiveness of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Foreign policy, National Assembly Legislative Agenda on Nigeria-China Relations, the efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Director General, Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership and Global Liaison and NIPC has positioned 216 Chinese investors readily available to invest in Nigeria through Direct Investment Funds. The breakdown of their interests is as follows:
– Oil and Gas: 41 investors
– Fintech: 17 investors
– Agricultural Business: 53 investors
– Trading and Manufacturing: 62 investors
– Mining and Solid Minerals: 23 investors
– ICT: 33 investors
– Training and Capacity Building: 30 investors
– Infrastructure and Project Finance: 25 investors
– Pharmaceutical Companies:25
“This presents a significant opportunity for Nigerian CEOs to tap into China’s partnership funding network system, fostering economic growth and development in various sectors.
The outcomes of the summit will definitely increase Investments: The summit led to increased investments in Nigeria’s key sectors, including infrastructure and agriculture.
– Job Creation: The summit’s outcomes are expected to create jobs and stimulate economic growth in Nigeria.
– Strengthened Bilateral Relations: The summit strengthened bilateral relations between Nigeria and China, paving the way for future collaborations.
We have commenced engagement with China Embassy and China Chamber of Commerce in Nigeria on the issue of Visa processing and enabling environment for participation of Nigeria’s CEOs who will be attending China Summit.
The agreement signed last year by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu with the Chinese President has further strengthened Business Bilateral Trade and Investment Relationships between Nigeria and China,” Kunle Yusuff concluded.
