By Ikugbadi Oluwasegun
The government of the People’s Republic of China has pledged strong technical and diplomatic support for Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to modernise and automate operations at its seaports, signalling a deepening partnership between both countries in the maritime sector.
China’s Vice Minister of Transport, Mr Li Yang, made the Commitment during a bilateral meeting with Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola, on the sidelines of maritime engagements in London.
Mr Li Yang praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for establishing the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy as a fully dedicated ministry, describing the decision as a transformative step for Nigeria’s maritime future, reaffirming China’s support for Nigeria in the upcoming International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Council election scheduled for Friday, 28 November.
In addition to technical support, the Chinese Vice Minister of Transport announced China’s willingness to extend maritime education and capacity-building opportunities to young Nigerians.
Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola in a statement by his Special Adviser Bolaji Akinola, expressed deep appreciation for China’s continued partnership and its pledge to back Nigeria’s IMO Council bid, assuring that Nigeria would reciprocate the goodwill.
He highlighted Nigeria’s desire to deepen technical collaboration with China in several strategic areas, including port digitalisation, maritime safety, shipbuilding and ship repair capacity, inland waterways development, seafarer training, blue economy investments and maritime environmental protection.
The meeting concluded with mutual commitments to strengthen maritime ties, advance technical cooperation, and work towards signing the forthcoming bilateral MoU that will define new areas of collaboration between both nations.
