ABUJA – The Honourable Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, has called for the immediate implementation of the Nigeria-China Aquatic Products Protocol. He said the agreement should be converted quickly into higher exports, foreign exchange earnings, and more opportunities for Nigerian businesses.

The Minister made the call during a courtesy visit after the signing of the protocol. Present at the meeting were the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E. Yu Dunhai, the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service, Dr. Vincent Isegbe, and representatives of the Federal Ministry of Justice and the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership.

‎The protocol was concluded after nearly five years of negotiations. It grants eligible Nigerian aquatic products zero-tariff access into China’s market of 1.4 billion consumers. This means Nigerian fish and other seafood can now enter China without import duties.

Minister Tegbe welcomed the Chinese delegation and thanked them for supporting the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership. He noted that trade between both countries reached 18 billion dollars in the first half of 2026, compared to 28 billion dollars for the whole of 2025. He said the success of the aquatic protocol will help fast-track other trade deals, including a zero-tariff agreement for African countries.

Speaking at the event, Ambassador Yu reaffirmed China’s commitment to supporting implementation. He described the Minister’s appointment as a sign of strong leadership and said there is huge potential for more cooperation with Nigeria, especially in power sector modernization. The Ambassador cited a 35 percent rise in bilateral trade and an 80 percent increase in Nigerian exports in the first half of 2026.

‎The Comptroller-General of NAQS, Dr. Vincent Isegbe, also pledged the agency’s support on compliance and standards. He said if properly leveraged, global demand for aquatic products could double Nigeria’s exports to China. He added that similar market-access deals could be pursued for other agricultural and fishery products.

The private sector was represented by Atlantic Shrimpers, a company that has engaged the Chinese market since 2018. The company said it is ready to begin exports immediately and has already identified buyers in China.

‎Stakeholders at the meeting agreed to prioritize swift implementation and measurable results. They said the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership will continue to drive deeper economic cooperation and create sustainable opportunities for Nigerian businesses to export more to China.