Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, has announced that China is prepared to roll out a zero-tariff policy for Nigerian goods ahead of schedule. This move comes amid celebrations for 55 years of diplomatic ties and the upcoming 2026 China-Africa Year of Cultural Exchanges. Nigerian Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar welcomed the initiative, emphasizing strengthened bilateral cooperation.
During a meeting on December 2, 2025, with Nigerian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, Chinese Ambassador Yu Dunhai outlined China's readiness to advance the zero-tariff policy for exports from Nigeria. This policy forms part of broader efforts to mark the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations and prepare for the 2026 China-Africa Year of Cultural Exchanges.
Ambassador Yu highlighted how these steps would build strategic mutual trust, enhance mutually beneficial cooperation, and bring greater advantages to citizens of both countries. He noted that the China-Nigeria comprehensive strategic partnership is progressing rapidly, supported by China's 15th Five-Year Plan, which emphasizes high-standard opening-up and sharing development opportunities globally.
"China is ready to work with Nigeria to implement zero-tariff treatment for Nigerian exports at an early date, and to make good preparations for the activities celebrating the 55th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries and the 2026 China-Africa Year of Cultural Exchanges," Yu stated.
The ambassador also affirmed China's support for Nigeria on core interests, including efforts to combat terrorism. Earlier this year, China extended zero-tariff treatment to cover 100 percent of tariff lines for all 53 African countries with diplomatic ties, under the China-Africa Economic Partnership for Shared Development. This framework aims to boost Africa's global trade integration by improving market access, customs procedures, and trade capacity, while promoting industrialization and diversifying imports beyond raw materials.
In response, Tuggar described China as Nigeria's comprehensive strategic partner and praised its contributions to Nigeria's economic and social development. He reaffirmed Nigeria's adherence to the One-China principle and expressed readiness to align development strategies, expand cooperation in manufacturing, trade, and investment, and elevate bilateral relations further. The discussions signal an accelerated timeline for the policy's implementation.