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China, Nigerian Scholars Call For Global Governance Reform
China and Nigerian scholars have called for reforms to global institutions and a deepening of China-Africa cooperation.
They spoke at a one-day seminar convened in Abuja yesterday, focused on the Global Governance Initiative.
The event, themed “Opportunities for China-Africa Cooperation under the GGI,” offered a platform for both critique and advocacy regarding the current global order.
Speaking at the seminar, the Counsellor at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, Dong Hairong, tied the GGI to a broader vision of international cooperation promoted by Beijing.
Hairong pointed to a shifting global environment—marked by geopolitical tensions, economic instability, and public health crises—as justification for reforming the global governance system.
She said the initiative aims to create “a fairer and more equitable, inclusive international system” by focusing on “joint efforts of all the countries and multilateral mechanisms.”
“The Nigerian government particularly welcomes them. They are closely aligned with the inherent needs of China-Africa and China-Nigeria cooperation.
“GGI is expected to serve as a new platform and a new opportunity for reforming the global governance system and transforming the global order, which is beneficial to all the nations, including the global south,” the counsellor noted.
Hairong also expressed support for reforms at institutions such as the United Nations Security Council and international financial bodies, saying China is ready to cooperate with African countries to “correct the historical injustices” and address the underrepresentation of the Global South.
In his presentation, the Director of the Centre for Contemporary China-Africa Research, Professor Sheriff Ibrahim, criticised current global institutions for favouring a handful of dominant powers.
Ibrahim explained, “There is a need to involve representation of every continent, every region in the world as a member of the UN Security Council permanently. Why? Because we have just five permanent members of the UN Security Council. This means that there is exclusion in global governance from where? From the Security Council of the United Nations.”
He singled out what he described as the impunity of powerful nations in breaching UN resolutions.
On global finance, he called for reforms in the International Monetary Fund and the G20 to include the currencies and concerns of the developing world.
“This is international exclusion. What happens to Africa? What happens to the Pacific? What happens to Latin America? What happens to the Caribbean? What about the giant renminbi, the Chinese yuan? What happens to that? So let there be inclusion in the international monetary establishment,” the Prof. questioned.
The Director also noted Nigeria’s ongoing push for reform, citing its statement at the 79th UN General Assembly calling for a permanent seat on the Security Council.
“Nigeria also wants to be part of it. And China has clearly reaffirmed Nigeria’s fitness and capability to be part of the UN Permanent Security Council membership,” he said.
He recalled President Bola Tinubu’s contributions to global discussions at recent summits, including the G20 and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Beijing.
China’s role, he said, has been to encourage inclusive global development and modernisation alongside Africa.
In conclusion, Ibrahim called on African states to reposition themselves in global affairs.
“Africa and Nigeria should reposition themselves to better fit into global governance, vehemently fight corruption, embrace the rule of law, democracy, and provide a people-centred approach for development,” he added.
The Director of the Centre for China Studies, Charles Onunaiju, emphasised the importance of domestic capacity in shaping a nation’s role on the global stage, stating that without strong institutions and economic strength, African nations risk being sidelined.
Onunaiju noted, “You are either on the table or you are on the menu. How do you avoid being on the menu? It’s to build capacity to enable you to be on the table.”
Onunaiju praised China’s capacity-building approach and its ability to follow through on initiatives, contrasting it with past Western-led development promises that failed to materialise.
He expressed confidence in the GGI’s long-term impact, suggesting that China’s capacity to support its initiatives makes the difference.
“GGI will not go down like any other initiative we have known. It is going to make a real difference. And it is interesting that Nigeria has been very vocal in supporting the GGI. And that is very impressive,” the director stated.
He concluded by urging Nigeria to fully engage the existing strategic partnership mechanism with China.
The GGI was unveiled by President Xi Jinping at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Plus meeting on September 1, 2025.
Xi, addressing the gathering in the northern port city, emphasised the need for global governance rooted in fairness, cooperation, and shared responsibility.
He called on nations to work together toward a just and equitable system—one that prioritises collective progress and mutual respect.
Countries such as Nigeria have publicly welcomed the initiative, seeing in it a potential shift toward a more representative global architecture.
In a statement issued by its Ministry of Foreign Affairs on September 11, Nigeria described the GGI as a timely and thoughtful response to today’s international challenges.
The government noted the initiative’s strong alignment with both its domestic priorities and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has demanded quick and full resolution to the challenges arising from the gas leakage that occurred in Bille, Degema Local Government Area of the State.
The governor has also pledged to upgrade the Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) in Bille with a view to addressing the health challenges confronting the community.
Fubara made the pledge on Wednesday at the Government House, Port Harcourt during an enlarged meeting of key stakeholders, comprising representatives of the Federal Government, the state government and leaders of the community.
The meeting was held to review the situation in the community and explore available opportunities to save the people from the adverse impacts of environmental pollution.
Addressing the journalists at the end of the meeting, the governor acknowledged the determination of the Federal Government and its agencies to get to the root cause of the problem in Bille and ensure that it is resolved permanently.
“The meeting is in respect of the situation in Bille. You’re aware that there is a case of gas leakage somewhere in Bille and the people have been making some requests that the government should come to their rescue to resolve the situation.
“As a state, we have gone to see the situation in the community, not alone but in conjunction with the industry operators and officials of the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources. What we are doing today is an enlarged meeting where all the parties are sitting together to look at the cause of the issue and the most possible way to get the problem resolved,” he said.
Fubara described the outcome of the meeting as successful, stressing that more action would be taken in the next couple of weeks to ensure that the issue is fully resolved.
The Minister of State, Petroleum Resources (Gas), Hon Ekperikpe Ekpo, who led the Federal Government’s delegation to the meeting, expressed appreciation to the governor for his warm hospitality and efforts to address the challenge in Bille community.
Ekpo explained that contrary to the perception in certain quarters, the Federal Government has not been silent over the “gas seepage” but has been working tirelessly towards finding a sustainable solution.
The minister explained that as soon as the incident was reported, the Federal Government deployed experts to the area to understudy the cause of the problem.
According to him, it was difficult at first to understand the cause of the problem since there were no oil or gas infrastructure within the vicinity of the incident, hence the need to conduct a more detailed investigation.
“The investigation is still going but we decided to do a follow-up visit to the area to talk to the people of Bille Community that we need collaboration on their part so that we would be able to arrive at a lasting solution.
“The safety of the people is paramount. We can understand their anxiety, the worry and the danger that this thing poses within the area, but the Federal Government is committed to finding a lasting solution to the problem. The primary responsibility of government is to take care of the welfare and security of the people and that is exactly why we are here to go and see things for ourselves,” he said.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mrs Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, also explained that as the regulatory agency at the centre of the issue, no effort will be spared in the task of resolving the issue.
Eyesan pledged that the NUPRC and operators in the industry were prepared to address the requests of the impacted people in terms of the provision of potable water and fire trucks to the community.
The Public Relations Officer, Council of Chiefs, Bille Kingdom, Chief Rena Dappa, had during the meeting, presented the challenges facing the community and pleaded for government’s support to save the lives and livelihoods of the people.
President Bola Tinubu has announced the launch of a training programme for 5,000 young Nigerians as meter installers and technicians under the Presidential Metering Initiative.
The President stated that the scheme is aimed at creating jobs, closing the country’s metering gap and improving electricity supply.
The President disclosed this in a statement on his verified X handle yesterday, describing the initiative, tagged “The Power Force,” as part of his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda to expand employment opportunities for young people.
According to Tinubu, the programme will equip participants with practical technical skills and connect them to employment opportunities in Nigeria’s power sector.
“Through the Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI), which I established to close Nigeria’s metering gap, end estimated billing, protect consumers and strengthen the electricity market, we are opening a new pathway for 5,000 young Nigerians to be trained as meter installers and technicians under The Power Force. This programme is about jobs, skills and dignity,” he said.
Tinubu said the training would be open to eligible Nigerians who have completed their secondary school education, with a dedicated quota reserved for members of the National Youth Service Corps.
He noted that expanding electricity metering was critical to improving service delivery and promoting transparency in the power sector.
“When homes and businesses are properly metered, Nigerians can pay for what they actually use. When electricity distribution companies collect revenues more transparently and fairly, they are better able to reduce losses, maintain infrastructure, expand connections and invest in better service.
“This is how we build a power sector that is fairer to consumers, stronger for investors and better able to deliver reliable electricity to the Nigerian people,” the President said.
Tinubu said he had directed the Presidential Metering Initiative to work with the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria, and other relevant stakeholders to commence the programme within the next 30 days.
He encouraged qualified young Nigerians to apply, saying the initiative would provide them with marketable skills while supporting efforts to eliminate estimated billing and improve electricity access nationwide.
“I encourage eligible young Nigerians to apply. Join The Power Force. Learn a skill. Earn with dignity. Help us end estimated billing and be part of the work to light up Nigeria,” he added.
The Federal Government has announced that the third evacuation flight for Nigerians voluntarily returning from South Africa will arrive Lagos today having departed Johannesburg at midnight yesterday with 271 returnees on board.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed this in a statement issued yesterday by its spokesperson, Mr Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa.
According to the ministry, the Air Peace-operated flight is expected to arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at about 5:30 a.m. on Friday, July 3, 2026.
It said the evacuation is part of the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to facilitate the voluntary return of Nigerians from South Africa.
“The third evacuation flight operated by Air Peace will depart Johannesburg today by 12 midnight with 271 returnees. The estimated time of arrival in Lagos is 5:30 a.m. on Friday, July 3, 2026,” the statement read.
The latest batch of returnees follows earlier evacuation flights that brought hundreds of Nigerians back to the country under the Federal Government’s voluntary repatriation programme.