Tinubu Seeks China Partnership On Marine Data, Not Aid – Jimoh Ibrahim

President Bola Tinubu has invited China to partner with Nigeria on the deployment and exchange of geophysical data to develop the country’s blue economy, prioritising technology and knowledge sharing over traditional development assistance, Nigeria’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations said on Tuesday.

The proposal was disclosed in a statement issued by the Office of Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN following a keynote address by Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim at the United Nations Sustainable Development Workshop on High-quality Development of the Marine Economy in Beijing.

Representing President Tinubu at the event, Ibrahim said Nigeria was seeking strategic collaboration to harness geophysical intelligence, marine research and innovation to unlock the economic potential of its maritime resources.

“President Bola Tinubu is offering China an open invitation for partnership through geophysical data and innovation rather than aid. The future prosperity of nations lies in harnessing the immense wealth of the oceans through knowledge, technology and strategic cooperation,” Ibrahim said.

According to the statement, the proposed partnership would cover the deployment and exchange of geophysical data across Nigeria’s nautical domain to support sustainable development of the marine economy.

Ibrahim said access to geophysical and oceanographic data would deliver greater long-term economic benefits than reliance on foreign aid, while helping Nigeria strengthen its position in the global blue economy.

He also praised China for its leadership in advancing the marine economy and reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to expanding bilateral and multilateral cooperation in maritime development.

The envoy said the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy by the Tinubu administration underscored the government’s commitment to maximising opportunities in the sector.

He urged the international community to embrace innovation, artificial intelligence, sustainable financing and stronger international partnerships to build resilient blue economy infrastructure and improve ocean governance.

Ibrahim reiterated Nigeria’s readiness to work with China and other international partners to promote sustainable development of the global marine economy, concluding his address with the message: “The future is here; doing nothing is NOT an option.”