The Federal Government has called for a careful assessment of China’s development experience to identify lessons that can be adapted to Nigeria’s poverty reduction efforts while taking into account the country’s social, political and economic realities.
The call was made by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dunoma Umar Ahmed, in a goodwill message delivered at a strategic stakeholders’ workshop organized by the Diplomatic Correspondents’ Association of Nigeria (DICAN) in Abuja.
Represented by Kimiebi Ebienfa, Ahmed said Nigeria, like many developing countries, continues to face challenges such as poverty, unemployment and inequality, which require pragmatic and collaborative responses.
He said China’s development experience offers useful lessons in long-term planning, infrastructure-led growth, targeted poverty reduction programmes and the mobilization of domestic resources, but stressed that development strategies must reflect each country’s institutions, values and social realities.
According to him, Nigeria should identify aspects of the Chinese model that can be adapted to improve agricultural productivity, strengthen social protection systems, promote public-private partnerships and expand investments in human capital while maintaining transparency, accountability and democratic governance.
The Permanent Secretary said policymakers must design reforms suited to local realities and ensure effective implementation and monitoring, while development partners should provide technical expertise, financing and international experience aligned with Nigeria’s priorities.
He also underscored the role of diplomatic correspondents and the media in fostering public understanding, scrutinizing policy choices and promoting accountability through accurate and balanced reporting.
Ahmed reaffirmed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ commitment to deepening international cooperation, encouraging knowledge exchange and promoting partnerships that attract responsible investment, technology transfer and capacity-building programmes.
He urged participants at the workshop to produce practical recommendations capable of accelerating sustainable poverty reduction in Nigeria.
