Policymakers, diplomats, scholars and foreign policy experts gathered in Abuja on Thursday to examine how governance experiences and knowledge-sharing can strengthen cooperation between Nigeria and China, as both countries seek to deepen their recently elevated strategic partnership.
Held at the China General Chamber in Abuja, the dialogue, titled “The Governance of China and Knowledge Sharing in Nigeria-China Cooperation: Implications for Mutual Learning,” was organised by the Centre for China Studies.
The event focused on discussions around The Governance of China, a collection of speeches, writings and policy reflections by Xi Jinping, and explored how governance practices, development strategies and policy innovations could provide insights for enhancing bilateral cooperation.
Speaking at the dialogue, Wang Jun, Counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria said the publication offers valuable perspectives on China’s development journey, governance philosophy and policy formulation.
According to him, the books provide an important window into understanding how China has approached major national challenges, including poverty reduction, environmental protection and sustainable development.
He highlighted China’s poverty alleviation programme, noting that hundreds of millions of people had been lifted out of poverty through targeted interventions and development-focused policies.
Wang said China remains willing to share its governance experiences with African countries while respecting each nation’s unique circumstances and development path.
He noted that greater intellectual engagement and dialogue could help strengthen mutual understanding and support efforts to improve governance and socio-economic development across Africa.
In his remarks, Charles Onunaiju, Director of the Centre for China Studies, said Nigeria-China relations entered a new phase following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s state visit to China and participation in the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.
He recalled that both countries upgraded their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership and agreed to build a high-level Nigeria-China community with a shared future.
According to Onunaiju, significant progress has already been recorded in infrastructure development, agricultural modernisation, industrial cooperation, trade, investment, education and cultural exchanges.
He stressed that intellectual exchanges, knowledge sharing and deeper exploration of governance models represent new frontiers for bilateral engagement.
“The opportunities in Nigeria-China cooperation extend beyond physical infrastructure and trade. Research, dialogue and mutual learning are essential for bringing the partnership closer to the people of both countries,” he said.
Also speaking, Sheriff Ghali Ibrahim, Director of the Centre for Contemporary China-Africa Research, provided an overview of key themes contained in the five volumes of The Governance of China and related publications.
He said the books document China’s policy evolution on issues such as poverty reduction, rule of law, ecological protection, national security, modernisation and international cooperation.
Ghali noted that China’s development experience demonstrates the importance of aligning policies with national realities while maintaining long-term strategic planning.
He pointed to initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative, ecological conservation programmes and efforts to promote common prosperity as areas from which developing countries could draw useful lessons.
The scholar also highlighted growing Nigeria-China cooperation in sectors including infrastructure, energy, media development and digital connectivity.
Other participants at the dialogue emphasised the importance of continued exchanges between academics, policymakers and development practitioners from both countries, describing knowledge-sharing as a critical pillar for sustaining the expanding Nigeria-China partnership.
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