By SUNDAY ABBA, Abuja
Nigeria’s Minister of State for Works Mohammed Bello Goronyo has applauded the partnership between Nigeria and China as a driver of growth in infrastructure, transportation, mining, and knowledge transfer.
Speaking at the CAETE Exhibition in Africa (Nigeria) and the 18th China Engineering and Technology Expo in Abuja, Goronyo emphasised both nations’ shared commitment to sustainable development through strategic cooperation, according to a statement signed by the Director, Press and Public Relations in the ministry, Mohammed A. Ahmed.
According to the statement, the Minister highlighted Nigeria’s National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan (NIIMP), which aims to increase infrastructure’s GDP contribution from 30-35% to 70% by 2043, prioritising investments in transportation, energy, healthcare and water systems.
He noted China’s significant role in projects like the Abuja-Kaduna Railway, Lagos – Ibadan Expressway and renewable energy initiatives, which have boosted connectivity, commerce and local capacity.
He also stressed the importance of green infrastructure, smart cities, and innovative financing mechanisms to ensure sustainability and urged for greater technical training and public-private partnerships.
“I am delighted to share Nigeria’s strides in redefining its infrastructure landscape through the National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan (NIIMP). This long-term strategic framework prioritises investments across key sectors, including transportation, energy, water, irrigation, and healthcare infrastructures.”
“NIIMP will promote innovative financing models, public-private partnerships, as well as enhance collaboration with global partners like China to deliver on sustainable and inclusive infrastructure.
“Through this plan, it is hoped that Nigeria will build robust infrastructure which will drive industrialisation, improve the quality of lives and position the nation as a hub for trade and investment in Africa, and it is in tandem with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Goronyo said.
Deliveringeynote address, Minister of Transportation, Sen. Abubakar Sa’id Alkali, commended the progress achieved in the rail, road and maritime sectors through a Nigeria-China a collaboration.
Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dun Hai, described the partnership as a model for South-South cooperation with transformative projects like the Abuja – Kaduna Railway, which showcase the potential of engineering and technology.
The statement further noted that the event reaffirmed the role of Partnerships in fostering economic growth, regional integration and sustainable development, which align with one of the Renewed Hope Agenda’s vision of enhancing infrastructure and transportation as enablers of growth.
Speaking, the Chairman of the Chinese Community in Nigeria, Mr Erie Ni, stressed the key importance of the event, saying it would deepen the relationship between the two countries, foster immense innovation, growth and sustainable development.
“Over the years, China and Nigeria have been involved in a dynamic and mutually beneficial relationship as Chinese enterprises, engineers and investors have been privileged to contribute to Nigeria’s development in various sectors including construction, telecommunications, energy and transport,” he said.
The Director General and Global Liaison, the Nigeria – China Strategic Partnership, Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, on his part, reiterated the need for enhanced collaboration, cultural exchange, and trade to galvanise a prosperous future for both nations.