What China’s Global Governance Initiative means for Nigeria

On September 1, 2025, Chinese President Xi Jinping unveiled the Global Governance Initiative (GGI) at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Plus meeting in Tianjin, China—a bold proposal aimed at reforming the international order and amplifying the voice of the Global South. Xi, addressing the gathering in the northern port city, emphasised the need for global governance […]

On September 1, 2025, Chinese President Xi Jinping unveiled the Global Governance Initiative (GGI) at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Plus meeting in Tianjin, China—a bold proposal aimed at reforming the international order and amplifying the voice of the Global South.

Xi, addressing the gathering in the northern port city, emphasised the need for global governance rooted in fairness, cooperation, and shared responsibility.

He called on nations to work together toward a just and equitable system—one that prioritises collective progress and mutual respect.

For Nigeria, one of Africa’s largest economies and a key diplomatic actor, the GGI represents both an opportunity and a challenge: a chance to shape global norms and a test of its readiness to lead. It has publicly welcomed the initiative, seeing in it a potential shift toward a more representative global architecture.

What Is the Global Governance Initiative?

The GGI is the latest in a series of Chinese proposals—alongside the Global Development Initiative (GDI), Global Security Initiative (GSI), and Global Civilization Initiative (GCI)—designed to build “a community with a shared future for mankind.” It seeks to address systemic gaps in global governance, particularly the underrepresentation of developing nations in institutions like the United Nations Security Council and international financial systems.

The GGI’s core principles—sovereign equality, rule of law, multilateralism, people-centered governance, and action-oriented reform—are not just diplomatic slogans. They are a blueprint for a world where power is shared, not hoarded; where decisions reflect the needs of all, not just the privileged few.

These principles reflect China’s vision of a fairer, more balanced international system—one that moves beyond Western-dominated norms and embraces the aspirations of the Global South.

Speaking at a seminar in Abuja recently, the Counsellor at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Nigeria, Dong Hairong, tied the GGI to a broader vision of international cooperation promoted by Beijing.

Hairong pointed to a shifting global environment—marked by geopolitical tensions, economic instability, and public health crises—as justification for reforming the global governance system.

She said the initiative aims to create “a fairer and more equitable, inclusive international system” by focusing on “joint efforts of all the countries and multilateral mechanisms.”

“The Nigerian government particularly welcomes them. They are closely aligned with the inherent needs of China-Africa and China-Nigeria cooperation.

“GGI is expected to serve as a new platform and a new opportunity for reforming the global governance system and transforming the global order, which is beneficial to all the nations, including the global south,” the counsellor noted.

Hairong also expressed support for reforms at institutions such as the United Nations Security Council and international financial bodies, saying China is ready to cooperate with African countries to “correct the historical injustices” and address the underrepresentation of the Global South.

Nigeria’s Endorsement

The Nigerian government has officially endorsed the GGI, describing it as a “significant step toward strengthening the international system and advancing inclusive global cooperation”.

In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigeria welcomed the initiative’s emphasis on sovereign equality, rule of law, and people-centred governance.

“Nigeria reaffirms its strong commitment to a more just, inclusive, and effective international order that reflects all peoples’ aspirations and upholds the principles of shared responsibility and mutual respect,” said Kimiebi Ebienfa, spokesperson for the ministry.

Nigeria also highlighted the alignment between the GGI and its national development objectives, as well as the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

The government expressed interest in using the initiative to push for reforms in emerging domains such as artificial intelligence, cyberspace, and outer space.

In his presentation at a one-day seminar convened in Abuja, focused on the Global Governance Initiative and with the theme: “Opportunities for China-Africa Cooperation under the GGI,” the Director of the Centre for Contemporary China-Africa Research, Professor Sheriff Ibrahim, criticised current global institutions for favouring a handful of dominant powers.

Ibrahim explained, “There is a need to involve representation of every continent, every region in the world as a member of the UN Security Council permanently. Why? Because we have just five permanent members of the UN Security Council. This means that there is exclusion in global governance from where? From the Security Council of the United Nations.”

He singled out what he described as the impunity of powerful nations in breaching UN resolutions.

On global finance, he called for reforms in the International Monetary Fund and the G20 to include the currencies and concerns of the developing world.

“This is international exclusion. What happens to Africa? What happens to the Pacific? What happens to Latin America? What happens to the Caribbean? What about the giant renminbi, the Chinese yuan? What happens to that? So let there be inclusion in the international monetary establishment,” the Prof. said.

The Director also noted Nigeria’s ongoing push for reform, citing its statement at the 79th UN General Assembly calling for a permanent seat on the Security Council.

“Nigeria also wants to be part of it. And China has clearly reaffirmed Nigeria’s fitness and capability to be part of the UN Permanent Security Council membership,” he said.

He recalled President Bola Tinubu’s contributions to global discussions at recent summits, including the G20 and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Beijing.

China’s role, he said, has been to encourage inclusive global development and modernisation alongside Africa.

Ibrahim called on African states to reposition themselves in global affairs. “Africa and Nigeria should reposition themselves to better fit into global governance, vehemently fight corruption, embrace the rule of law, democracy, and provide a people-centred approach for development,” he added.

On his part, the Director of the Centre for China Studies, Charles Onunaiju, emphasised the importance of domestic capacity in shaping a nation’s role on the global stage, stating that without strong institutions and economic strength, African nations risk being sidelined.

Onunaiju noted, “You are either on the table or you are on the menu. How do you avoid being on the menu? It’s to build capacity to enable you to be on the table.”

Onunaiju praised China’s capacity-building approach and its ability to follow through on initiatives, contrasting it with past Western-led development promises that failed to materialise.

He expressed confidence in the GGI’s long-term impact, suggesting that China’s capacity to support its initiatives makes the difference.

“GGI will not go down like any other initiative we have known. It is going to make a real difference. And it is interesting that Nigeria has been very vocal in supporting the GGI. And that is very impressive,” the director stated.

He concluded by urging Nigeria to fully engage the existing strategic partnership mechanism with China.

Why GGI matters for Nigeria

Nigeria has long advocated for reform of the UN Security. The GGI provides a diplomatic framework to advance these goal, especially in coalition with other Global South nations.

Besides, as Nigeria expands its digital economy and explores artificial intelligence, the GGI’s focus on inclusive governance in emerging technologies offers a chance to shape global standards that reflect African realities.

Also, the GGI encourages joint efforts in tackling climate change, public health crises, and food insecurity—areas where Nigeria faces urgent challenges and seeks global support.

By engaging with the GGI, Nigeria will also strengthen its diplomatic leverage and diversifies its international partnerships beyond traditional Western allies.

Meanwhile, while the GGI presents opportunities, Nigerian stakeholders also recognise the challenges. As Onunaiju noted, “The success of the GGI will depend on practical implementation, not rhetoric.”

More so, Nigeria must strategically navigate its relationships with both China and Western powers, ensuring that its engagement with the GGI does not compromise its strategic autonomy.

As Dr Sam Amadi, Director, Abuja School of Social and Political Thought, emphasised, internal reforms are essential. Nigeria must strengthen its institutions to fully benefit from global governance reforms.