The Chinese government has announced a ¥200 million grant to Nigeria to support the implementation of development projects agreed upon by both governments.

The disclosure was made during a meeting between the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Dunoma Umar Ahmed, on Thursday, according to a statement on the Chinese Embassy of Nigeria’s X page.

The grant, worth approximately N40.32 billion based on the Central Bank of Nigeria’s exchange rate, is intended to support Nigeria’s national development and economic growth.

What they are saying

Ambassador Yu said China and Nigeria have maintained strong bilateral relations over the past 55 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties between both countries.

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He said the relationship has consistently remained at the forefront of China-Africa relations and has entered a new stage of development in recent years under the strategic guidance of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

  • “China will provide RMB 200 million in grant assistance to Nigeria for the implementation of projects agreed upon by the two governments,” the statement read in part.

According to the ambassador, both countries have maintained close communication and coordination while working to implement agreements reached by their two heads of state.

He added that China and Nigeria are also working together to implement the outcomes of the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Beijing Summit, with the aim of ensuring that the benefits of bilateral cooperation reach the people of both countries.

The Chinese government did not, however, disclose the specific projects that will be financed with the grant. The grant forms part of China’s broader support for Nigeria’s development and economic growth and comes as both countries seek to deepen their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Nigeria pledges effective use of grant

Dr. Dunoma Umar Ahmed thanked the Chinese government for its support for Nigeria’s economic and social development. He said the grant demonstrates China’s commitment as a major country and reflects the longstanding friendship between Nigeria and China.

The Permanent Secretary said Nigeria would ensure that the grant assistance is effectively utilised.

He added that Nigeria would continue working with China to implement the common understandings reached by both governments on bilateral cooperation.

According to him, the cooperation is expected to further strengthen Nigeria-China relations and deliver greater benefits to the people of both countries.

The Nigerian government’s response underscores its commitment to ensuring that the grant is effectively deployed for the agreed development projects.

Get up to speed

China’s economic relationship with Nigeria extends beyond trade, with the country providing development assistance and maintaining a significant presence in Nigeria’s infrastructure and energy sectors. In August 2025, the Chinese government donated $1 million to support communities affected by devastating floods across Nigeria.

  • Nigeria recorded an estimated $24.6 billion in Chinese Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) construction contracts in 2025, according to a report by Christoph Nedopil, a China energy expert at Griffith University.
  • The figure represented a 13-fold increase from the previous year and was the highest recorded by any country that year.
  • About $20 billion of the total was attributed to the proposed Ogidigben Gas Revolution Industrial Park in Delta State, following a contract awarded to China National Chemical Engineering.

The report also estimated Nigeria’s cumulative energy-related engagement with China at about $28 billion since 2013.

The 2,700-hectare industrial park is designed to host gas-based industries, including fertilizer, methanol, petrochemical and aluminium plants, and is expected to create about 250,000 direct and indirect jobs if fully implemented.

What you should know

Nigeria’s trade relationship with China remained significant in the first quarter of 2026, with China retaining its position as Nigeria’s largest trading partner. Data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) show that total trade between both countries stood atN5.68 trillion during the quarter, highlighting the scale of the economic relationship alongside China’s growing development and investment support for Nigeria.

  • Nigeria imported goods worth N5.10 trillion from China in Q1 2026, while exports to China stood at N582.20 billion.
  • The figures resulted in a trade deficit of N4.51 trillion in favour of China.
  • Total trade with China declined from N6.20 trillion in Q4 2025 but remained above the N4.96 trillion recorded in Q1 2025.
  • China retained its position as Nigeria’s largest trading partner in Q1 2026, after rising from second place in Q1 2025.

The trade figures reflect the depth of Nigeria-China economic relations, with China serving as a major source of machinery, electronics, industrial equipment, chemicals and manufactured goods, while Nigeria’s exports to China remain largely concentrated in mineral and energy products.