FG, DICAN Urge Adaptation of China’s Poverty Model

Federal Government and the Diplomatic Correspondents’ Association of Nigeria (DICAN) have called for the adaptation of relevant lessons from China’s poverty reduction experience to support Nigeria’s fight against poverty.

The call was made at a strategic stakeholders’ workshop organised by DICAN in Abuja, which brought together policymakers, diplomats, media practitioners and other stakeholders to examine China’s development experience and its relevance to Nigeria.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Dunoma Umar Ahmed, said Nigeria could learn from China’s long-term approach to infrastructure development, agricultural productivity, targeted poverty reduction, social protection and human capital investment.

Represented by Kimiebi Ebienfa, Ahmed, however, cautioned against wholesale adoption of the Chinese model, stressing that Nigeria must tailor any lessons to its political, economic, institutional and social realities.

He said transparency, accountability, effective implementation and continuous monitoring were essential to ensuring that development policies produced measurable improvements in the lives of Nigerians.

Ahmed also urged development partners to provide technical expertise, financing and international experience in line with Nigeria’s development priorities.

He noted that the media had a critical role in promoting public understanding of development policies, scrutinising government programmes and strengthening accountability through accurate reporting.

Speaking on behalf of Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, the Counsellor, Economic and Commercial Office of the Chinese Embassy, Sun Xuekun, said China had lifted more than 800 million people out of poverty since the country’s reform and opening-up began in 1978.

He said China moved nearly 100 million rural residents out of poverty between 2012 and 2020, removing 832 impoverished counties and 128,000 villages from poverty status.

According to him, China’s success was driven by strong government leadership, targeted interventions, sustained economic growth and massive investments in infrastructure and social development.

Sun said China invested nearly 1.6 trillion yuan in special poverty alleviation funds and deployed millions of officials and work-team members to support poverty reduction programmes.

The interventions included industrial development, relocation from inhospitable areas, educational support, ecological compensation and strengthened social protection.

He added that investments in roads, electricity, water, telecommunications, education and healthcare helped address structural barriers to development.

DICAN Chairman, Idehai Frederick, said Nigeria should study China’s experience and adapt aspects that could work within its own environment.

He described the workshop as timely, noting that Nigeria’s poverty challenge required practical solutions and a critical examination of development models that had achieved measurable results.

Frederick said lessons from China could help Nigeria strengthen data-driven interventions, community-level development, infrastructure and mutually beneficial economic partnerships.

He also called for stronger media exchanges, fellowship opportunities and journalism training, as well as closer engagement between DICAN and the Chinese business community.

The DICAN Chairman further urged Nigeria to take advantage of China’s zero-tariff policy for African exports by strengthening local supply chains, improving product standards and expanding competitive non-oil exports.

The workshop ended with a call for practical, locally adaptable strategies that could accelerate poverty reduction, expand economic opportunities and promote sustainable development in Nigeria.

By Sophina Ovuike, Abuja 

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