President Tinubu is currently in China on a state visit. When he sits down with Premier Xi Jinping for bilateral talks, I expect his wish list to look something like this

Ayo Akinfe

[1] Nigeria wants to start on a fresh slate with China. All Nigeria’s debts to China must be cancelled as part of a post-Coronavirus economic settlement package. Legal action against Nigeria by all Chinese firms worldwide must stop immediately. All assets seized must be returned and any monies owed must be written off as bad debt

[2] China will immediately resume its Belt and Road Programme in Nigeria, committing to invest a minimum of £50bn annually in infrastructural projects. Among the projects this will cover include a Lagos to Abuja high speed rail link, opening a transformer manufacturing plant, building hydroelectric power plants, constructing a Badagry to Calabar windmill farm, building a Lagos Underground metro, etc

[3] As from henceforth, every Chinese company that wins a Nigerian supply contract will manufacture the products locally in Nigeria, with at least 80% of the workforce being local

[4] With regards to China’s Covid-19 vaccine, Nigeria wants a pharmaceutical plant to manufacture the drug built in the country. In addition, Nigeria wants sole distribution rights of the vaccine across Africa

[5] Nigeria wants a platoon of an elite division of China’s special forces like The Leopards, The Siberian Tigers or the Night Tigers deployed to Borno State to help eliminate Boko Haram and Iswap

[6] Nigeria wants China’s big four automobile manufacturers SAIC Motor, Dongfeng, FAW and Chang'an to open a joint venture manufacturing facility in Nigeria. It must produce at least 1m units of electric cars annually. Nigeria’s government will be happy to take out a minority stake in the venture which will manufacture a unique African car. Maybe call it the Madiba

[7] Each of these automobile companies must also open global assembly plants in Nigeria to assemble cars for worldwide distribution. At the very least, they must employ 20,000 Nigerians

[8] China Power Investment Corporation supplies about 10% of China’s electricity. This state-owned company is engaged in the development, investment, construction, operation and management of power plants and power generation in 27 Chinese provinces. We want them to build six hydroelectric power plants in Nigeria at Lokoja, Idah, Yola, Asaba, Makurdi and Baro. Between them, they must generate 50,000MW of electricity

[9] China is the world’s largest steel manufacturer. In 2015, Chinese steel exports represented approximately one quarter of all global sales. Nigeria wants a pledge that China will get the Ajaokuta and Aladja steel plants up and running producing at least 5m tonnes before the end of 2025

[10] China has 34 major ports and more than 2,000 minor ports. We do not want that many. All we ask for is that China build six deep sea along our 853km Atlantic coastline at Ayetoro, Warri, Brass, Opobo, Ikot-Abasi and Calabar. They must be able to take pamanaxes of any size

Ayoakinfe@gmail.com