Banwo: China’s Rise to Global Economic Power Not Accidental

Kayode Tokede

A linguistics and Asian Studies expert, Dr Adetoro Banwo, has said that China’s rise to global power was not accidental, stressing that it was fueled by pragmatic policies that prioritise the well-being of its people alongside continuous reforms.

Banwo, who lectures at the Department of Linguistics, African and Asian Studies, University of Lagos, said Nigerian could learn a valuable lesson from China.

In a paper titled, “Building a Community of a Shared Future in Nigeria- A Policy of Win-Win Initiatives,” presented in Lagos, he said China’s partnership with Nigeria has dramatically transformed the country’s development landscape.

“New roads snake across Nigeria, connecting cities to hinterlands and towns. Ports have been built to boost trade and grow Nigeria’s Gross National Product. Infrastructure projects of monumental scale, like the Abuja-Kano, Port Harcourt-Maiduguri, and Lagos-Ibadan railway routes, have been successfully completed through Sino-Nigerian collaboration.

“These railways are the largest in Nigeria’s history, designed to facilitate the seamless transport of people and goods across the country.  One immediate benefit is the explosion of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and townships springing up along these railway routes and stops. These SMEs are the backbone of a healthy and thriving Nigerian economy. They provide income, create employment opportunities, and drive national growth by opening new markets for different regions.

“China has bolstered Nigeria’s economy in several key ways. Their billion-dollar investment in the Lekki Deep Sea Port aims to streamline trade exports and imports not just for Nigeria, but for all of Africa. Constructing this port has created millions of local jobs, boosted Nigeria’s overseas trade patterns, and secured a stable stream of revenue for the country, “he said.

He added that China has emerged as a key development partner for Nigeria through various projects and collaborations, stating that China is actively driving progress in Nigeria’s economy, infrastructure, and cultural sectors.

Banwo stressed ” China’s cultural exchange efforts in Nigeria are driven by President Xi’s Global Civilization Initiative. This initiative emphasizes the value and importance of all human civilizations. President Xi promotes respect for cultural diversity, shared human values, and the ongoing exchange and innovation between cultures. People-to-people exchange and cooperation are central to this vision.”