The Government of the People’s Republic of China has pledged technical and diplomatic support for Nigeria’s ongoing port modernisation and automation programme.
China’s Vice Minister of Transport, Li Yang, made the commitment during a bilateral meeting with Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, in London.
Li commended President Bola Tinubu for creating a Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, describing the move as a major turning point for Nigeria’s maritime future.
He revealed that China currently operates 52 fully automated ports ,one of the highest numbers globally and is willing to apply its expertise to support Nigeria’s transition from manual and semi-automated operations to a fully digital port environment.
He said China’s automated ports have significantly boosted trade efficiency, reduced vessel turnaround time, strengthened security through smart surveillance, and minimised human error through integrated digital systems. Replicating such a model in Nigeria, he noted, would enhance the competitiveness of Africa’s largest economy.
Li outlined areas where China is ready to collaborate, including smart port infrastructure, automated cargo-handling systems, digital gate technologies, electronic customs processes and advanced maritime communication platforms.
Reaffirming China’s diplomatic support, the Vice Minister also pledged China’s backing for Nigeria in the upcoming International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Council elections scheduled for Friday.
He described Nigeria as one of China’s strongest partners in Africa and welcomed the contributions of Chinese firms involved in Nigeria’s rail, road and port projects.
Beyond technology, Li announced that China would expand maritime education opportunities for Nigerians, offering scholarships under its specialised maritime training schemes and slots in the Global Innovation in Transport Programme, an intensive four-week course.
He also invited Oyetola to China’s Sustainable Transport Summit next year and disclosed that a draft Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen maritime cooperation is already being prepared.
Responding, Oyetola expressed Nigeria’s appreciation for China’s continued partnership and its pledge to support Nigeria’s IMO Council bid.
He identified port digitalisation, maritime safety, shipbuilding and repair capacity, inland waterways development, seafarer training, blue economy investments and environmental protection as priority areas where Nigeria seeks deeper collaboration.
The Minister noted that Nigerian waters have recorded zero piracy incidents in the last four years, with similar improvements across the Gulf of Guinea, crediting enhanced surveillance, regional partnerships and the deployment of the Deep Blue assets for the progress.
Oyetola also sought China’s support to tackle Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing through satellite-based monitoring, data-driven surveillance and joint enforcement strategies. He emphasized that fisheries and aquatic resource development form a major pillar of Nigeria’s blue economy growth plan.
Both countries concluded the meeting with mutual commitments to advance maritime ties and finalise a new bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will define emerging areas of cooperation.
