The Federal Government has made a fresh commitment to strengthening its cordial relationship with the People’s Republic of China as part of efforts to modernise Nigeria’s road infrastructure and improve the technical capacity of local engineers.
The Minister of State for Works, Barr. Mohammed Goronyo made the remarks in Abuja during a meeting with a high-powered delegation from CGGC Global Plc.
Goronyo’s comments were contained in a statement issued on Thursday (today) by the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Mohammed Ahmed.
According to the statement, the minister underscored the ministry’s resolve to transform Nigeria’s road network using enhanced technical expertise and modern engineering practices.
He explained that the government was seeking Chinese collaboration in training Nigerian engineers, providing modern road construction and maintenance equipment, and transferring advanced road technologies that would support local adaptation and long-term sustainability.
Goronyo stressed that Nigeria’s engineers must be fully equipped to meet contemporary challenges, adding that China’s experience in rapid infrastructure development made the partnership essential.
Responding during the meeting, the Vice President of CGGC Global Plc, Mr He Yongjun, expressed the company’s strong interest in contributing to Nigeria’s infrastructure growth.
He acknowledged that CGGC had the expertise and capacity to support Nigeria’s ambitions but appealed for direct access to project opportunities.
He, however, noted the company’s reservations about operating strictly through the Public–Private Partnership framework, which remains the officially approved and transparent process for acquiring government contracts.
Despite this, He Yongjun reiterated the corporation’s readiness to work closely with Nigeria on strategic infrastructure projects.
The minister received the Chinese delegation alongside senior officials of the Ministry of Works, including the Director of Human Resource Management who represented the Permanent Secretary, other directors and technical staff.
The Managing Director of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, Engr. Dr. Chukwuemeka Agbasi, also attended the meeting with senior FERMA officials.
The Chinese team was led by Mr He Yongjun and included Mr Song Yunwu, who serves as Security Director; Ms Tian Yimeng, Director of the Africa Marketing Department; Mr Peng Changbing, Director of the Project Management Department; and other senior officers of the corporation.
Goronyo reaffirmed that Nigeria’s commitment to the partnership goes beyond immediate development needs.
He stressed that the long-term goal is to build a technically competent local workforce and ensure that Nigerian engineers can fully deploy cutting-edge methodologies without over-reliance on external expertise.
He added that genuine foreign partnerships such as this will help Nigeria entrench global best practices across its road construction and maintenance systems while ensuring that infrastructure projects remain durable and efficient for years to come.
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