Experts advocate stronger Nigeria-China knowledge sharing to advance dev’t

By Sarafina Christopher

Experts have called for stronger Nigeria-China knowledge sharing and policy dialogue to deepen the exchange of development experiences and enhance governance, economic growth, and poverty reduction efforts.

They made the call on Thursday at a dialogue on “The Governance of China” and Knowledge Sharing in Nigeria-China Cooperation: Implications for Mutual Learning, organised by the Centre for China Studies in Abuja.

Mr Charles Onunaiju, Director, Centre for China Studies, said Nigeria and China had entered a new phase of relations.

He said that the new phase follows the elevation of bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to China and participation in the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit.

Onunaiju said both countries had agreed to broaden cooperation in infrastructure development, agricultural modernisation, industrialisation, trade, investment, education and cultural exchanges.

According to him, knowledge sharing and mutual learning remain important areas for deepening bilateral relations.

“Knowledge and experience sharing, mutual learning, civilisation dialogues, explorations of histories, thoughts and contemporary thinking of the two sides are important frontiers that are open to further development in Nigeria-China bilateral cooperation,” he said.

He noted that President Tinubu subsequently established the Directorate of the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (NCSP) to provide strategic direction for engagements between both countries.

Onunaiju added that increased intellectual engagement as well as research and policy discussions would help maximise opportunities under the partnership and bring the benefits of cooperation closer to the people of both nations.

Dr Segun Showunmi, a public affairs analyst and political strategist, said development experiences from different countries could provide useful insights for Nigeria’s long-term planning and transformation agenda.

He identified infrastructure development, industrialisation, agricultural modernisation, poverty reduction and public sector efficiency as areas where valuable lessons could be drawn.

“Infrastructure is not an expense; it is statecraft,” he said.

Showunmi stressed that while every nation must pursue development based on its unique realities, studying successful models could help inform policy choices and accelerate progress.

Similarly, Dr Olalekan Babadunde of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) said leadership remained central to achieving sustainable development and improving citizens’ welfare.

“To achieve people-centred development and high-quality development, we need leadership,” he said.

Babadunde noted that China’s emphasis on long-term planning, rural revitalisation and national development offers useful perspectives for policy discussions in developing countries.

Mr Wang Jun, Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, said The Governance of China series provided insights into China’s development philosophy, governance practices and strategic innovation.

“The volumes offer important windows into understanding the logic behind China’s development, governance and strategic innovation,” Wang said.

He also noted that China’s targeted poverty alleviation strategy had contributed significantly to improving living standards and promoting inclusive development.

“China has successfully lifted nearly 800 million rural residents out of poverty.

“This philosophy and methodology holds significant practical value for Nigeria and other African countries in their efforts to mitigate poverty and promote inclusive development,” he said.

Wang added that China remained committed to sharing development experiences with African countries while respecting their unique national conditions.

“China is ready to share its governance experience with Africa and support every country in exploring development, pursuant to their own national conditions,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the dialogue brought together academics, policy makers, researchers and development experts from universities, think tanks and strategic institutions across Nigeria.(NAN)
Edited by Mark Longyen