The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, has called for the swift implementation of the Nigeria-China Aquatic Products Protocol to unlock higher exports, foreign exchange earnings and new business opportunities for Nigerian producers.
Tegbe made the call during a courtesy visit and reception for the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E. Yu Dunhai, following the signing of the Protocol, which grants eligible Nigerian aquatic products zero-tariff access to China’s 1.4 billion-consumer market.
The agreement, concluded after nearly five years of negotiations, was described by stakeholders as a major opportunity to expand Nigeria’s access to the Chinese market and strengthen bilateral economic relations.
Welcoming the Ambassador, Tegbe thanked him for his support for the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (NCSP) and efforts to deepen trade and business relations between both countries.
He noted that bilateral trade had reached $18 billion in the first half of 2026, compared with $28 billion recorded throughout 2025, saying the latest Protocol could further accelerate Nigeria’s export growth and support other initiatives, including the proposed Zero Tariff Agreement for African countries.
The Minister urged Nigerian exporters and businesses to move quickly to take advantage of the market access created by the agreement, stressing that the success of the Protocol should be measured by tangible increases in exports, foreign exchange earnings and opportunities for local businesses.
Ambassador Yu reaffirmed the Chinese Embassy’s commitment to supporting the implementation of the agreement and facilitating the entry of qualified Nigerian aquatic products into the Chinese market.
He cited a 35 per cent increase in bilateral trade and an 80 per cent rise in Nigerian exports in the first half of 2026 as evidence of the growing potential for stronger economic cooperation between both countries.
The Ambassador also assured the Minister of the Chinese government’s support for Nigeria’s efforts to modernise and expand its power system.
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service, NAQS, Dr. Vincent Isegbe, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to providing compliance support to Nigerian exporters and identified opportunities for similar market-access agreements covering other agricultural and fishery products.
He noted that growing global demand for aquatic products could significantly increase Nigeria’s exports to China if the opportunity created by the Protocol was effectively leveraged.
Representatives of Atlantic Shrimpers, a private-sector company with experience engaging the Chinese market since 2018, said the company was ready to commence exports and had already identified buyers in China.
The engagement was attended by representatives of the Federal Ministry of Justice, the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership and officials of the Chinese Embassy.