The Minister of State for Works, Rt. Hon. Bello Muhammad Goronyo, has wrapped up a strategic visit to China, securing stronger cooperation in infrastructure development, technology transfer, and youth empowerment. The visit reinforces President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and Nigeria’s commitment to sustainable infrastructure growth.
According to a press release signed by Abdullahi A. Mohammed, Special Assistant (Media) to the Honourable Minister of State for Works, the week-long visit was conducted under the existing Technical Cooperation Agreement between the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) and the Global Cooperation Promotion Research Center. It focused on deepening Nigeria-China partnerships in Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), equipment support, and human capital development key areas driving the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The statement noted that the Minister’s first engagement was a courtesy visit to the Nigerian Embassy in Beijing, where he was received by the Head of Chancery, Amb. Jimmy Ebi Patrick. Goronyo described the Embassy as “a home away from home,” emphasizing the importance of synergy between Nigerian missions abroad and the Ministry of Works in promoting bilateral cooperation and advancing Nigeria’s infrastructure agenda.
At the headquarters of China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), a subsidiary of the China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), Goronyo commended the firm for its contributions to Nigeria’s infrastructure development, particularly the execution of the Keffi–Akwanga–Makurdi Highway, a landmark PPP project under the Highway Development and Management Initiative (HDMI). He called for stronger collaboration with CHEC through the PPP framework to fast-track the delivery of durable road infrastructure across the country. The Minister also urged the company to expand its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives by supporting youth technical training programmes in road construction and maintenance to promote employment and self-reliance.
In Xuzhou, the Minister, alongside FERMA’s Managing Director, Engr. Emeka Agbasi, led discussions with XCMG, a global leader in heavy-duty construction and maintenance equipment. Goronyo commended XCMG for its investment in Nigeria through its Lagos office and its readiness to support the nation’s infrastructure renewal drive. The talks focused on two key areas, equipment support for FERMA’s operations and structured technical training for Nigerian youths. The Minister emphasized that such initiatives would enhance road maintenance capacity, boost trade, and create jobs in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The delegation also held high-level talks with the President of China Gezhouba Group International Engineering Ltd (CGGC), Mr. Zhang Jun, in Beijing. Discussions centered on PPP-driven infrastructure projects and human capital development for Nigerian engineers. Goronyo praised CGGC’s contributions to major projects in Nigeria, including the Aba–Ikot Ekpene Railway and the Mambilla Hydropower Project, and encouraged the firm to offer scholarships for Nigerian engineers and establish local training centres in road construction and materials technology.
FERMA’s Managing Director, Engr. Agbasi, reiterated the agency’s commitment to leveraging PPP models such as Manage, Operate and Transfer (MOT) and HDMI to strengthen Nigeria’s road development framework. In response, Mr. Zhang pledged to send a high-level CGGC delegation to Abuja for follow-up discussions and to develop a joint working document identifying specific areas of cooperation.
The press release described the China technical visit as a milestone in Nigeria’s drive to modernize its road infrastructure, promote youth employment through technology-driven skill acquisition, and reinforce Nigeria-China bilateral relations. Through engagements with global engineering and equipment giants such as CHEC, XCMG, and CGGC, Goronyo is translating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda into actionable international partnerships, driving economic growth, knowledge transfer, and sustainable infrastructure development for a stronger, more connected Nigeria.
