Nigeria and China are set to deepen cooperation in agriculture, science, technology and cultural exchange, with the Federal Government seeking to leverage China’s zero-tariff policy for 53 African countries to expand Nigerian agricultural exports and strengthen technology transfer.
Mukhtar Muhammed, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, disclosed this on Saturday at the “Seasonal Life, Harmonious China” cultural exhibition held at the China Cultural Centre in Abuja.
Muhammed said the new trade opportunity created by China’s zero-tariff policy should be matched with stronger scientific innovation, agro-processing capacity and technology transfer to enable Nigerian producers to meet the quality and supply-chain requirements of the Chinese market.
He said Nigeria’s agricultural commodities, including sesame, ginger, cashew nuts and cocoa, had significant export potential but had historically faced barriers to accessing international markets.
According to him, the implementation of the zero-tariff policy, which took effect in May, provides an opportunity for Nigerian agricultural products to gain greater access to the Chinese market.
