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Nigeria-China Aquatic Deal: Tegbe Urges Exporters to Use Zero-Tariff Access

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Nigeria’s Minister of Power and Director-General of the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership, Joseph Tegbe, has urged Nigerian aquatic-product exporters to move quickly to take advantage of duty-free access to the Chinese market.

The call followed the signing of a Nigeria-China protocol covering aquatic products after almost five years of negotiations. The agreement is intended to remove market-access barriers for eligible Nigerian fishery and aquatic products.

Nigerian exporters must still meet China’s health, safety, certification and documentation requirements before their products can enter the market.

Why the agreement matters

China introduced comprehensive zero-tariff treatment for products from 53 African countries, including Nigeria, from 1 May 2026.

The policy covers Nigerian products with diplomatic ties to China and forms part of Beijing’s wider effort to increase imports from Africa. Chinese officials have identified agricultural commodities, including aquatic products, as having potential in the Chinese market.

The development gives Nigerian exporters a major price advantage because tariffs can raise the cost of imported goods and make them less competitive.

However, cheaper access does not automatically create buyers, production capacity or reliable supply chains.

That is why the implementation of the aquatic-products protocol is important.

Tegbe calls for action

Speaking during a meeting with Chinese Ambassador Yu Dunhai and other officials, Mr Tegbe said the agreement should produce measurable economic benefits rather than remain another government-to-government commitment.

He said the protocol should lead to increased exports, foreign-exchange earnings and opportunities for Nigerian businesses.

The minister thanked the ambassador for his support for the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership and said the two countries should build on the agreement to advance wider trade initiatives.

He also pointed to the growing volume of bilateral trade.

The government says Nigeria-China trade reached $18bn in the first half of 2026, compared with $28bn for the whole of 2025. The figures cited at the meeting were not independently reconciled in the statement, so the basis for the six-month comparison remains unclear.

Earlier reports put total Nigeria-China trade at more than $28bn in 2025.

Zero tariffs are not enough

The wider zero-tariff policy already gives Nigeria an opportunity to increase non-oil exports to China.

But exporters still face technical requirements before they can benefit.

The Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) regulates the export and import of aquatic resources and is responsible for quality assessment and certification.

Its published procedures require exporters of aquatic products to meet requirements that include inspection of production and processing facilities, sanitary checks, appropriate documentation and health certification.

NAQS also requires compliance with importing-country conditions for exports.

This means Nigerian businesses cannot simply ship seafood to China because tariffs have fallen to zero.

They must prove that their products meet the required standards.

China sees room for more trade

Ambassador Yu Dunhai said China remained committed to supporting the implementation of the agreement and helping qualified Nigerian products enter the Chinese market.

He cited a reported 35% increase in bilateral trade and an 80% rise in Nigerian exports to China during the first half of 2026.

Those figures point to growing trade, but they do not by themselves show whether Nigerian producers are capturing a larger share of the Chinese market or whether the increase is broad-based across sectors.

China has previously said its zero-tariff policy could create opportunities for Nigerian agricultural exports, including sesame, ginger, cashew, cocoa and aquatic products.

The export challenge

The biggest question for Nigeria is whether local producers can supply the Chinese market consistently.

Aquatic exports require more than access to buyers. They depend on reliable production, cold-chain facilities, processing plants, quality control, packaging, certification and efficient transport.

A failure in any part of that chain could prevent exporters from benefiting from the new market access.

The private sector appears to be preparing for the opportunity.

Atlantic Shrimpers, which the government said has engaged with the Chinese market since 2018, told officials that it had identified potential buyers and was ready to begin exports.

That claim came from the company and was not independently verified in the statement.

What NAQS must do

NAQS Comptroller-General Vincent Isegbe said the agency would support exporters in meeting compliance requirements.

He also pointed to the possibility of securing similar market-access arrangements for other agricultural and fishery products.

The agency’s role will be particularly important because China is a highly regulated market. Poor-quality or non-compliant shipments could damage the reputation of Nigerian exporters and make future access more difficult.

For the government, the test will therefore be whether the protocol produces actual shipments and sustained export earnings.

A wider economic test for Nigeria

Nigeria has long sought to reduce its dependence on crude oil and increase non-oil exports.

The China deal fits into that strategy by opening access to one of the world’s largest consumer markets.

But Nigeria’s trade relationship with China has historically been heavily weighted towards imports from China. A May 2026 analysis published by The Guardian cited a substantial imbalance in 2023, when Nigerian exports to China were far below Chinese exports to Nigeria.

The new zero-tariff regime therefore presents an opportunity to narrow that imbalance, but only if Nigerian businesses can produce goods at sufficient scale and meet international standards.

It also creates a policy challenge for the government: market access must be matched by investment in processing, infrastructure, certification and logistics.

What happens next?

The immediate task is to turn the protocol into operational procedures that exporters can understand and use.

Government agencies, Chinese authorities and private businesses will need to clarify which aquatic products qualify, what certification exporters require, which facilities meet the necessary standards and how shipments will be inspected.

The success of the agreement should ultimately be measured not by the signing ceremony, but by the number and value of Nigerian aquatic products reaching China.

For Nigerian exporters, the opportunity is now clearer.

The harder question is whether Nigeria can supply the market competitively and consistently enough to turn duty-free access into jobs, investment and foreign-exchange earnings.

Energy

JMG Industrial Showcases Kaeser Compressors at Propak West Africa 2026

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Caption: L-R Rao Preetham Ganesh - Service Manager, and AGBEDE Olarewaju Laisi- Business Development Manager with customers.

JMG Industrial, the air-compressor division of JMG Limited, has showcased Kaeser compressed-air technology to manufacturers and other industrial operators at Propak West Africa 2026 in Lagos.

The exhibition, held from 8 to 10 September at the Landmark Event Centre, brought together manufacturers, business owners and technical professionals to discuss production needs, energy consumption and equipment reliability.

JMG Industrial is the official Kaeser dealer in Nigeria and used the event to highlight equipment designed for manufacturing, packaging and other industrial applications.

Focus on industrial efficiency

Compressed air is used in a range of industrial processes, making the reliability and energy consumption of compressor systems an important consideration for businesses.

At the exhibition, JMG Industrial said discussions with visitors centred on improving operational efficiency, managing energy use and maintaining consistent production performance.

The company displayed several Kaeser solutions, including oil-injected rotary screw compressors, oil-free screw compressors and portable compressors.

It also offers compressed-air accessories, dryers and filters, which are used to support air treatment and wider compressed-air systems.

Also Read: Olu Jacobs Dies at 84, Family Announces 

Equipment, installation and maintenance

JMG Industrial said its services go beyond equipment supply to include system design, installation and commissioning.

The company also provides preventive maintenance, repairs and genuine Kaeser spare parts as part of its after-sales support.

It said this support is intended to help industrial customers maintain equipment over its operating life and address technical requirements after installation.

For businesses considering new compressor systems or reviewing existing installations, JMG Industrial said customers can seek technical guidance on equipment selection and maintenance.

What the exhibition means for manufacturers

Propak West Africa is focused on industries including packaging, processing, printing and manufacturing, sectors where equipment reliability can affect production operations.

JMG Industrial said its participation provided an opportunity to discuss the practical requirements of Nigerian manufacturers and packaging businesses directly with customers and industry stakeholders.

The company also said it strengthened existing relationships and established new contacts during the exhibition.

However, the release did not provide figures on the number of businesses reached, equipment orders secured or any measurable economic impact from the exhibition.

JMG Limited’s industrial operations

JMG Limited provides electromechanical services covering areas including power generation, electrical systems, elevators and escalators, cooling systems, air compressors and solar solutions.

Its JMG Industrial division focuses on compressed-air equipment and technical support for industrial customers in Nigeria.

Businesses seeking information about Kaeser compressors, installation or maintenance services can contact JMG Industrial through its website.

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NSCDC Warns Anambra LPG Operators Over Illegal Decanting, Safety Breaches

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The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has warned liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) retailers and operators in Anambra State against safety breaches, illegal decanting and operating without the required permits.

The warning came during a fire safety training for LPG retailers in Awka on Thursday, 3 September 2026.

The training, organised by the LPG Retailers Association of NUPENG, Anambra State chapter, focused on safety and security requirements for LPG facilities.

The NSCDC said operators must follow the requirements set by relevant regulatory agencies to reduce the risk of fires, explosions and other incidents that could affect workers, customers and nearby communities.

What the NSCDC wants operators to do

Speaking on behalf of the Anambra State Commandant, Maku Olatunde, the Command’s Head of Media and Tactical Operations, SC Okadigbo Edwin, said LPG facilities require particular attention because of the risks associated with the product.

He said the NSCDC’s responsibilities in the sector include protecting critical national assets and infrastructure, responding to disasters and maintaining public safety.

The Corps’ statutory mandate includes protecting lives and critical infrastructure, preventing crime and supporting emergency response.

Okadigbo urged operators to install and maintain security measures such as perimeter fencing, CCTV cameras and controlled access.

He also called for round-the-clock security coverage, proper asset identification and accurate inventory records.

For fire prevention, he said facilities should have serviced firefighting equipment, gas-leak detectors and clearly marked evacuation routes.

He also urged operators to conduct emergency drills every three months and train workers in first aid.

“No Smoking, No Phone Use” zones should also be enforced in appropriate areas of LPG facilities, he said.

Warning over illegal gas decanting

One of the key concerns raised at the training was the practice of illegally transferring LPG between cylinders outside approved systems.

Okadigbo advised operators to obtain cylinders of different capacities, fill them at major plants and resell them through an exchange system.

The aim, he said, was to discourage illegal decanting.

He also warned operators against running facilities under high-tension electricity lines or operating without the required permits and documentation.

The NSCDC further urged businesses to store cylinders upright in well-ventilated cages and provide workers with appropriate personal protective equipment.

Operators were also told to follow the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA)’s requirements on the location and operation of LPG facilities.

NMDPRA currently operates dedicated licensing systems for LPG retailers and LPG refilling plants, underlining the regulatory requirements attached to the sector.

Also Read: Police Explain Why Officers Remain in Osun Weeks After 2026 Election 

Why LPG safety matters

LPG has become an important household and commercial cooking fuel in Nigeria, but poor handling can create serious risks because the product is highly flammable.

A leak in a poorly ventilated area can allow gas to accumulate before an ignition source causes a fire or explosion.

That makes the location of retail facilities, cylinder storage, staff training and emergency preparedness important not only to operators but also to people living or working around them.

The NSCDC has described its role in the sector as part of its wider responsibility for protecting critical infrastructure and managing disasters. Its operational structure includes dedicated directorates for critical national assets and infrastructure, disaster and crisis management, intelligence and operations.

Operators urged to work with security agencies

The Corps also wants LPG businesses to establish links with the nearest NSCDC divisional office.

Okadigbo asked operators to share information about suspicious activities and cooperate with periodic inspections.

The approach reflects the NSCDC’s wider mandate to work with other agencies and stakeholders on security, intelligence gathering and emergency response.

 

Earlier, Comrade Ngini Tem, chairman of the LPG Retailers Association of NUPENG, Anambra State chapter, said the training was intended to improve members’ understanding of regulatory requirements and the hazards associated with LPG operations.

He said the programme also sought to promote safer operational practices and environmental protection.

The session ended with questions and contributions from participants.

Okadigbo said: “Safety is not negotiable. By applying these measures, you will not only be complying with government approved guidelines, but you will also be protecting lives, property, and national assets, while building public trust in your business and maximizing your profitability.”

What happens next?

The immediate challenge is whether the safety advice translates into compliance at LPG facilities across Anambra State.

The NSCDC says operators should profile their facilities with nearby divisional offices and allow periodic inspections.

However, the bulletin does not state how many LPG facilities attended the training, how many facilities currently comply with the requirements, or whether any operators have recently been sanctioned for breaches.

Those figures would help establish whether the latest intervention is changing safety practices or simply repeating existing requirements.

For consumers, the issue is straightforward: safer LPG outlets reduce the risk of preventable fires and explosions. For regulators and security agencies, the next test will be enforcement and evidence of compliance.

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FG Probes 100MW Power Gap, Estimated ₦120bn Losses on Ikorodu-Sagamu Corridor

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Nigeria’s government is investigating an estimated 100MW gap between electricity supplied and accounted for along a major industrial corridor linking Lagos and Ogun states.

The investigation could determine whether the missing electricity is the result of energy theft, meter tampering, technical losses, inaccurate data or other problems in the power supply chain.

Power Minister Joseph Tegbe ordered the probe during a meeting with industrial electricity users and other industry stakeholders on Friday.

The government says the discrepancy could represent an estimated ₦120bn in unaccounted energy value over one year, although that figure remains subject to investigation.

The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO), which monitors electricity flows across the national grid, identified unusual consumption and loading patterns along the 132kV Ikorodu-Sagamu corridor through technology-based monitoring systems that have been strengthened since 2024.

Tegbe said the investigation must establish what is happening before conclusions are reached.

“We must know where the power is going and what is compromising it,” he said, according to the statement issued after the meeting.

He also warned against meter tampering, manipulation of electricity data and other practices that could deprive the electricity market of legitimate revenue.

Why the figure matters

A 100MW discrepancy is significant for an industrial corridor that serves large electricity consumers.

Factories rely on predictable electricity supplies to run machinery, while prolonged shortages or unreliable supply can increase production costs when businesses turn to diesel or gas-powered generators.

The financial estimate is also important because Nigeria’s electricity market already faces substantial technical, commercial and collection losses.

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) reported that the power sector’s aggregate technical, commercial and collection losses stood at 35.22% in the fourth quarter of 2024, with technical and commercial losses accounting for 16.34% and collection losses for 22.56%.

NERC defines commercial losses as including discrepancies in meter readings, erroneous billing, unmetered consumption and electricity theft. Technical losses, by contrast, can occur naturally through heat loss in power lines and transformers.

That distinction will be important in the new investigation.

An electricity gap does not automatically prove that consumers stole power.

What investigators need to establish

The central question is where the difference between electricity supplied and electricity accounted for occurs.

Investigators will need to compare transmission data, distribution records, meter readings, customer consumption and other technical information along the corridor.

NISO’s monitoring data triggered concern over the loading and consumption patterns, while the investigation is expected to establish whether the discrepancies are technical, operational, commercial or linked to deliberate interference.

That approach matters because blaming consumers before completing the technical assessment could obscure problems elsewhere in the electricity value chain.

The investigation will involve NISO, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Ikeja Electric, Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), industrial customers and other electricity market participants.

Also Read: Bakare-Oki’s LASTMA Legacy: Beyond Traffic Enforcement in Lagos by Adebayo Taofiq 

Energy theft is already illegal

The government is not introducing a new legal prohibition on electricity theft.

The Electricity Act 2023 already criminalises unauthorised connections, meter tampering, bypassing meters and other forms of electricity theft. Depending on the offence, the law provides for fines and imprisonment.

NERC also strengthened its regulatory response in January 2025 through an amended order on unauthorised access, meter tampering and bypass.

The order allows DisCos to disconnect unauthorised connections without notice and establishes conditions for reconnection.

In March 2026, NERC further directed DisCos to follow a standard procedure for investigating suspected unauthorised electricity access, including analysing consumption patterns, inspecting meters and documenting evidence.

The new Ikorodu-Sagamu investigation therefore comes against a backdrop of existing laws and regulatory measures aimed at reducing electricity losses.

A test for the power sector

The bigger question is whether identifying the discrepancy will lead to sustained improvements.

For industrial users, recovering electricity that is genuinely being lost through theft or other avoidable causes could improve the amount of power available for productive use and strengthen the financial position of the electricity market.

But there is another risk.

If the investigation treats every discrepancy as consumer theft without separating technical losses, metering errors, billing problems and distribution weaknesses, legitimate customers could face penalties for problems they did not cause.

The government’s insistence on a “transparent, scientific and fair” investigation will therefore be important.

It will also need to publish enough evidence for consumers, businesses and regulators to understand how the final figure was reached.

What happens next?

The immediate next step is the technical and forensic investigation into the reported power gap.

Until that work is completed, the 100MW discrepancy and ₦120bn estimate should be regarded as figures arising from monitoring data, rather than a final determination of electricity stolen or revenue lost.

The outcome could have implications beyond the Ikorodu-Sagamu corridor.

If investigators identify significant theft or deliberate meter manipulation, enforcement could intensify against offending customers and intermediaries. If they instead uncover weaknesses in metering, billing, transmission or distribution, the response will need to focus on infrastructure and market systems.

For consumers and manufacturers, the real measure of success will not be the announcement of an investigation but whether it produces more reliable electricity, accurate billing and fewer losses across the power chain.

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