Nigeria invites China for blue economy partnership

President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria has invited China to partner with Nigeria through the deployment and exchange of geophysical data across Nigeria's nautical domain, aiming to unlock the potential of the marine and blue economy. The proposal, announced by Nigeria's Permanent Mission to the United Nations, emphasizes strategic partnership, technology transfer, and data-driven collaboration rather than traditional development assistance. Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, Nigeria's Permanent Representative to the UN, delivered a keynote address at the United Nations Sustainable Development Workshop on High-quality Development of the Marine Economy in Beijing, representing President Tinubu. Ibrahim highlighted Nigeria's intention to leverage geophysical intelligence, marine research, and innovation to accelerate sustainable economic growth and position Nigeria among the world's leading blue economy nations. He also proposed that the International Monetary Fund provide zero-interest financing to support developing countries in building resilient blue economy infrastructure. The establishment of the Nigeria — Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy by the Tinubu administration underscores Nigeria's commitment to maximizing opportunities in the sector. The invitation reflects a shift from aid dependence to knowledge-based cooperation, with Ibrahim stating, 'The future is here; doing nothing is not an option.'