From Azimazi Momoh Jimoh and John Akubo, Abuja

In a move to boost energy production in the 36 states of the federation, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with a Chinese firm called Energy China.
  
This was as Senate President Godswill Akpabio welcomed the Vice-Chairperson of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Hu Chunhua, and his delegation to the National Assembly, a moment he referred to as a reaffirmation of “a shared march towards destiny” between the two countries.
  
Energy China is a major Chinese company known for renewable energy and gas production in the Asian country. Speaking on behalf of the NGF chairman, the Governor of Gombe State, Inuwa Yahaya, who is also the Chairman of Northern Governors’ Forum, said the MOU and the ensuing relationship between the organisations would signal a critical step in strengthening the institutional framework for sub-national energy governance through fostering energy security, efficiency and economic development across the states.  
  
Yahaya said: “It is crucial to acknowledge the transformative journey Nigeria is embarking upon in the area of access to sustainable electricity, which includes renewable energy, particularly in the wake of the recently passed Electricity Act of 2023. 
  
“This groundbreaking legislation marked a pivotal moment for our energy landscape, introducing innovative structures that aim to boost investments and enhance the reliability of power supply across the country. Since the passing of the Electricity Act, we have witnessed a surge of innovations and reforms aimed at revamping our energy sector.”
  
He, however, noted that the efforts came with their own set of challenges, adding that shortfalls in infrastructure, financing and regulatory hurdles continued to impede progress.
  
“We must address these issues collaboratively,” he stated. Also speaking on the MOU, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, said: “This collaboration supports the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu. This partnership reflects our shared ambition to expand access to clean energy, strengthen energy planning at the state level, and promote sustainable technologies, all in alignment with our National Energy Masterplan and national development goals.”
  
“The scope of this MoU includes the deployment of renewable energy infrastructure (solar, wind and hydro) and establishment of a Nigeria-China Renewable Energy Research Centre to drive innovation, technology transfer and capacity-building. This initiative will not only improve energy access, especially in off-grid communities, but also support job creation, investment and our climate commitments.”
  
The chairman of China Energy Commission, Dr Song Liang, pledged full implementation of the MoU and to ensure full cooperation between Nigeria and China.  He promised to improve energy storage in all sectors, including green energy, and to turn the Nigeria-China relationship to a new phase of cooperation.
  
Director-General of NGF, Dr Abdullateef Shittu, said: “Since the passage of the Electricity Act, the NGF has been playing a pivotal role supporting and coordinating the efforts of states in the implementation of the Act. 
AKPABIO described the Nigeria-China relationship as a journey of trust and mutual respect that grew steadily over the past five decades. 
  
“We have moved from handshakes to heartbeats,” he declared, emphasising the depth and emotional resonance of the bilateral bond. He praised China’s transformation into a global economic powerhouse and commended its approach to foreign relations. 
  
“China listens, China invests, and China stays the course,” he noted, contrasting it with more conditional international partnerships.  The Senate President pointed to Chinese investments in Nigerian roads, railways, and ports as symbols of this friendship, saying, “they are not just structures, but the bridges of friendship and the arteries of progress.”
  
Recalling President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to Beijing, Akpabio highlighted the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership formed with President Xi Jinping as a turning point, calling it a “declaration of shared destiny.”
  
Akpabio also stressed Nigeria’s eagerness to deepen cooperation in emerging sectors such as digital innovation, green technology and cultural exchange.  He expressed admiration for the CPPCC’s role in fostering consensus and welcomed stronger parliamentary collaboration between Nigeria and China.
 
 The visit marks another step in what appears to be an evolving and enduring alliance between Africa’s most populous country and the world’s second-largest economy.