The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, on Wednesday announced plans by China to establish Africa’s first local insulin production facility in Nigeria, a move expected to revolutionize diabetes management and reduce reliance on imported insulin.
Yu made the disclosure in Abuja during a reception marking the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. He said the project would not only transform treatment for people living with diabetes but also position Nigeria as a hub for medical biotechnology on the continent.
According to him, Chinese companies are already in talks with Nigerian authorities to actualize the project, which forms part of the tangible benefits of China–Nigeria cooperation. He cited the recently completed Abuja Water Supply Project now providing clean water to nearly three million residents as another example of the partnership’s impact.
The envoy highlighted China’s consistent support for Africa’s integration and self-driven development, describing the cooperation model as “equal, pragmatic, and efficient.” He also underscored the symbolism of both Nigeria and China celebrating their national days on October 1, calling it a “shared national memory that binds our two peoples together.”
Yu further celebrated personal stories of collaboration, including Ms. Issah Fatimah Abiola, Nigeria’s first female train driver trained by CCECC, who recently received China’s “Friendship Envoy Award,” and Ibrahim Ismail, a young Kano student fluent in Mandarin.
Representing President Bola Tinubu, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin commended China’s role in Nigeria’s development and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to deepening cooperation across critical sectors. He stressed that legislators would continue to provide legal frameworks and oversight to ensure transparency and sustainability in joint projects.
