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By Gloria Ikibah

The Federal Government has declared that Nigeria is ready to lead Africa’s industrial transformation by taking advantage of China’s new zero-tariff policy, with a renewed focus on value addition, manufacturing, technology transfer and job creation.

The position was outlined during an international seminar on “China’s Zero-Tariff Treatment for African Countries and Its Implications for Structural Economic Transformation of Africa,” held at the Shehu Yar’Adua Conference Centre in Abuja.

Speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dunoma Umar Ahmed, said the policy presents a major opportunity for African countries to move beyond the export of raw materials and embrace industrialisation.

According to him, the key issue for Africa is not simply increasing exports to China but ensuring that African countries retain more value from what they produce.

Ambassador Ahmed explained that under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Nigeria is deliberately shifting away from an overreliance on unprocessed commodities.

“The policy presents a strategic opportunity, but its real benefit depends on Africa’s productive capacity. For Nigeria, the central question is not simply how much Africa can export to China, but what Africa will produce, how it will produce it, and how much value will be retained within African economies.

“Our natural resources must become the starting point, not the end point, of economic activity.
“We seek investors who will build factories, develop industries, transfer technology, train our young people, strengthen local businesses and create sustainable employment,” he said.

He added that Nigeria possesses the demographic and economic advantages required to become Africa’s manufacturing powerhouse.

“Nigeria is well placed to lead Africa’s industrial push, leveraging its large market, AfCFTA membership, entrepreneurial population and abundant resources to attract investments that establish manufacturing and regional value chains,” he said.

Also speaking, the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, disclosed that the zero-tariff policy, which took effect on May 1, 2026, is already producing significant results.

He revealed that bilateral trade between Nigeria and China reached 18 billion dollars in the first half of 2026, representing a 35 per cent increase compared to the same period last year.

He also noted that Chinese imports from Nigeria rose by 80 per cent to 2.3 billion dollars, while monthly growth exceeded 40 per cent in both May and June.

“Since it took effect, we have seen immediate and concrete results because tariff eliminations are reducing costs, trade volumes are expanding, and local businesses are leveraging zero tariffs to invest in domestic processing and move up the value chain,” Ambassador Yu said.

To maximise the benefits of the initiative, the Chinese envoy proposed four priority areas, including improving product quality, strengthening supply chains, expanding local processing and aligning trade policies with long-term investment strategies.

He also called for stronger policy awareness among Nigerian small and medium-scale enterprises.

According to him, China is ready to deepen its economic partnership with Nigeria.

“China is ready to finalise an Agreement on Economic Partnership for Shared Development with Nigeria and to support joint industrial parks, technology transfer and training,” he said.

Earlier, the Director of the Centre for China Studies, Charles Onunaiju, described the policy as a turning point for Africa’s economic development.

He said the initiative, which now covers 100 per cent of tariff lines across 53 African countries, should be viewed as the beginning of a broader economic transformation rather than an end in itself.

“The zero-tariff treatment, now covering 100 per cent of tariff lines for 53 African countries, is not a finished line but only a starting point,” he said.

Onunaiju argued that African countries must address domestic production challenges and fully utilise the African Continental Free Trade Area to benefit from the policy.

“With an obvious sense of collective relief spanning 53 countries and one shared open door, the ‘Made in Africa’ brand is finally shifting into high gear,” he added.

He explained that the seminar brought together manufacturers, exporters, farmers, customs officials and financial institutions to explore practical ways of translating the new trade arrangement into economic gains.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to working with China, African countries and development partners to convert expanded market access into industrial growth.

The ministry said its goal is to ensure that increased trade leads to stronger manufacturing capacity and transforms Africa’s vast natural resources into sustainable economic prosperity.

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Governor of Osun state, Ademola Adeleke, has directed the state’s attorney-general to withdraw the suit filed against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the freezing of the state government’s bank account.

Adeleke relayed this in an interview with Channels Television, hours after he was declared winner of the August 15 governorship election.

The governor said he decided to withdraw the case following President Bola Tinubu’s intervention.

“I’m putting them behind. What else do I want? I have instructed my attorney general to drop it. Mr President has done well. He called me. What more do I want?” Adeleke asked.

On allegations that some of his aides and officials were invited for questioning by the EFCC, Adeleke said he had instructed his lawyers to assist them.

All these things is Oyetola because he is the cousin to the president. He is dropping the president’s name,” Adeleke said.

“I know that the president didn’t know about the EFCC one. That is why he had to call me and stop it.”

The Osun government had sued the EFCC over the freezing of its statutory allocation account.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1762/2026 and filed at the federal high court in Abuja on August 5, sought to nullify the anti-graft agency’s directive and award N2 billion in exemplary damages against the commission.

The EFCC had said it froze the account as part of an investigation into the alleged fraudulent handling of funds by the state government.

Tinubu subsequently directed the EFCC to immediately vacate the freeze order.

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Ex-Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, has congratulated Governor Ademola Adeleke on his re-election, urging him to use his renewed mandate to promote unity, development and inclusive governance across the state.

Aregbesola, in a statement posted on X following the August 15 governorship election, said the outcome represented the decision of the people and should be respected.

“I congratulate Senator Ademola Adeleke on his re-election as the Governor of Osun following the governorship election held on Saturday, August 15, 2026,” he said.

“Now that the people of Osun have spoken through the ballot, their decision must be respected.”

Aregbesola, who was also involved in the election as a leading figure within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), said Adeleke’s responsibilities were now greater than those associated with the campaign.

He urged the governor to regard the election outcome as a fresh mandate to unite Osun and govern fairly, regardless of political affiliation.

“The task before the governor is now greater than the contest that has just ended. I urge him to see the outcome as a renewed mandate to unite the state, deepen development and govern with fairness, humility and a strong sense of responsibility to every citizen,” he said.

The former governor also commended Osun voters for their participation and described them as politically sophisticated.

He reserved special praise for members of the ADC, thanking them for remaining committed to the party’s candidate, Najeem Salaam, despite what he described as intense political pressure.

“To the men and women of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Osun, I say: thank you. I am particularly proud of your steadfastness, courage and commitment throughout this journey,” Aregbesola said.

He also praised Salaam for the manner in which he conducted his campaign and received the election outcome, saying the candidate placed the interest of the state above personal ambition.

Aregbesola said the party’s loss at the polls should not end its commitment to Osun, urging members and supporters to remain united and continue to hold government accountable while offering constructive alternatives.

“Democracy is strengthened when political actors demonstrate the courage to compete vigorously, the humility and maturity to accept the people’s decision and the wisdom to continue contributing to society afterwards,” he said.

He further called on Adeleke to extend “the hand of fellowship” to political groups across the state and make his next term one of reconciliation and broader inclusion.

To ADC members, Aregbesola said the values that brought them together, including good governance, accountability, justice, competence and service, remained worth pursuing beyond the election.

“Political journeys are often longer than individual electoral contests,” he said.