By Mercy Peter
Nigeria has signalled a renewed push to domesticate lessons from China’s rapid industrialisation, following the conclusion of a high-level international seminar in Beijing focused on industrial cooperation and development strategy.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the programme organised by the Academy for International Business Officials (AIBO), spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nigeria, Mr. Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, said Nigerian delegates were returning home with actionable insights aimed at influencing policy direction across multiple tiers of government.
The seminar, held under the framework of the Global Development Initiative, brought together 130 participants from 10 countries across Africa, Asia, Oceania, and Latin America. It focused on industrial policy, innovation ecosystems, and sustainable development pathways.
Ebienfa emphasised that beyond knowledge exchange, the engagement represents a strategic opportunity for Nigeria to recalibrate its industrialisation agenda by aligning with tested global models.
He noted that China’s experience offers a practical template for leveraging infrastructure, technology, and human capital to drive economic transformation.
According to him, exposure to industrial hubs such as the Suzhou Industrial Park and the Suzhou-Changshu Economic and Technological Zone provided real-world examples of how coordinated policy execution and investment in smart infrastructure can accelerate manufacturing growth and global competitiveness.
He further highlighted that the Nigerian delegation views the experience as a “policy laboratory,” capable of informing decisions not just at the federal level but also within sub-national governments and regional economic blocs in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The diplomat stressed that Nigeria’s youthful population and abundant natural resources present a significant comparative advantage, but require deliberate policy frameworks and institutional coordination to unlock sustainable value.
He also framed Nigeria-China relations within a broader economic diplomacy context, noting that Beijing’s continued investment in infrastructure and capacity-building initiatives in Nigeria reflects a deepening bilateral partnership with mutual benefits.
Describing participants as “ambassadors of industrial cooperation,” Ebienfa said the network formed during the seminar would foster continued collaboration and knowledge sharing across regions.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening ties with China, particularly in areas of industrial development, technology transfer, and investment, while expressing appreciation for China’s role in supporting major projects and training programmes in Nigeria.
