Emir Sanusi urges strategic shift in Nigeria-China relations

The 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has called on the Nigerian government to urgently recalibrate its diplomatic strategy with China, moving beyond infrastructure loans to demand the relocation of manufacturing plants to Nigerian soil. Speaking at the anniversary dialogue commemorating the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and […]

The 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has called on the Nigerian government to urgently recalibrate its diplomatic strategy with China, moving beyond infrastructure loans to demand the relocation of manufacturing plants to Nigerian soil.

Speaking at the anniversary dialogue commemorating the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the People’s Republic of China, the former Central Bank Governor warned that Nigeria risks becoming a “consumption nation” for goods produced by its neighbours if it fails to act now.

Sanusi noted a significant shift in global economics: as Chinese wages rise to $600 a month, low-value industries like textiles and leather are fleeing the mainland. “The Chinese are moving into high-tech—chips and electronics,” he observed.

“They are moving textile production to Madagascar and leather works to Ethiopia. We must sit with them and ask: ‘How do we move these production facilities to Nigeria?’”

The Emir expressed deep concern over the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), warning that without a proactive strategy, Chinese firms will set up factories in Accra or Cotonou to serve the Nigerian market. This would leave Nigeria’s neighbours with the jobs, taxes, and industrial growth, while Nigeria remains a mere consumer plagued by youth unemployment.

“If we do not move, our younger brothers will get there ahead of us,” Sanusi cautioned, noting that his previous analysis showed four times as many Chinese companies heading to Ghana as to Nigeria.

He argued that while building ports and roads is beneficial, Nigeria’s “unfinished business” must focus on power plants and factories.

Reflecting on the “de-industrialisation” of Northern Nigeria—where textiles and plastic shoes that were once made in Kano are now imported—Sanusi appealed for a “win-win” partnership. “I love China, but I also love Nigeria,” he said. “The job of diplomats is to see the light in the darkness. Let us be the manufacturing hub for West Africa, rather than remaining an island of consumption.”

H.E. Yu Dunhai, Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria and the Chinese Embassy, Nigeria, have become China’s largest engineering contracting market in Africa and a vital partner in trade and investment.

“In 2025, our bilateral trade surpassed USD 28 billion, a year-on-year increase of more than 28 per cent, while China’s direct investment in Nigeria reached USD 690 million, up 103 per cent from the previous year. These figures vividly illustrate the dynamism and vast potential of our partnership,” he said.

Dunhai, who was represented by the Chargé d’Affaires of the embassy, Zhou Hongyou, said China remains committed to openness, inclusiveness, and win-win cooperation.

“We will advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, align the ‘Ten Partnership Actions’ with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and Nigeria’s ‘Eight Priority Areas’ of governance, and accelerate the implementation of zero-tariff measures to expand cooperation across the board.

“China will actively promote the Initiative on Supporting Africa’s Modernisation,…and firmly support Nigeria’s industrialisation and modernisation efforts. We aim to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity for self-reliant development and ensure that the benefits of our cooperation reach the people of both countries in a more tangible and equitable way,” he said.

Charles Onunaiju, Director of the Centre for China Studies (CCS), hailed Nigeria-China relations, saying the duo have achieved a lot together.

“At 55 years, Nigeria and China are considerably accomplished in their bilateral cooperation and now, at a crucial historical starting point. This simply means that, even though they have traversed a very productive trajectory and are a good example of a respectable and mutually beneficial international cooperation, what is ahead is even greater,” he said.