Scholars at Modibbo Adama University (MAU), Yola, have called on China to promote technology and knowledge transfer as part of efforts to strengthen local manufacturing in Nigeria.
The scholars made the call in Yola during a seminar organised by the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) in partnership with Contemporary World Nigeria magazine.
The seminar, themed “Bridging Africa-China Dialogue Through Scholarly Exchange,” was held as part of IPCR’s Advancing Knowledge Exchange Seminar Series across Africa.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics) of MAU, Prof. Iliya Audu, commended the initiative for encouraging academic dialogue on issues affecting Nigeria, Africa and the wider world.
Audu said scholarly exchanges should promote knowledge sharing and contribute to addressing global challenges, including climate change, food security and conflicts.
Delivering the keynote lecture, Dr Ubale Jibrin, an Assistant Professor of International Relations, examined opportunities for research collaboration between African and Chinese scholars.
Jibrin identified “knowledge diplomacy” as a strategic tool for strengthening Africa-China relations through scholarly exchange, innovation and academic mobility.
He said partnerships should support higher education and joint research aimed at addressing challenges such as food security, public health and climate change.
Jibrin also advocated equitable partnerships that would transform African institutions from being recipients of knowledge into active producers contributing to sustainable development.
However, Prof. Abraham Okolo, a former Deputy Vice-Chancellor of MAU, questioned the sincerity of some aspects of Nigeria-China cooperation, particularly in the areas of technology transfer and technical expertise.
Okolo said Nigeria should build its technological capacity through skills acquisition, research and industrialisation rather than depend solely on foreign countries.
“Technology is never transferred. If you are waiting for the Western world to advance the African continent technologically, I don’t think we will be technologically advanced,” he said.
He advocated the establishment of training centres across the country’s geopolitical zones where graduates could acquire practical skills and become producers rather than consumers.
Okolo also proposed sending Nigerian graduates to China for short-term technical training before returning to contribute to the local economy.
Dr Madi Abba, Head of the Department of Political Science, said China’s engagement with Africa had produced visible development benefits.
Abba urged Nigeria to seek technology and knowledge transfer from China, particularly in areas where its large market could support local manufacturing.
“Nigerians should study China’s development experience and negotiate partnerships promoting technology acquisition, skills development and local production,” he said.
He also called on China to establish skills-training centres across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones to equip young people with practical skills and help address youth unemployment.
Abba warned that failure to address graduate unemployment could worsen social instability, stressing the importance of building a knowledge-based economy.
Dr Jamila Suleiman, Head of the Adamawa State Peace Commission, urged scholars not to allow the power imbalance between Africa and China to discourage engagement.
“We should not let that asymmetry diminish the opportunities that exist to create relationships and bridges. What we should actually aim at is creating strategic partnerships,” she said.
Earlier, Dr Joseph Ochogwu, Director-General of IPCR, represented by Dr Olalekan Babatunde, Coordinator, Editorial, Contemporary World Nigeria magazine, emphasised the need for Nigeria to adopt strategic approaches to bilateral and multilateral relations.
He said such strategies would enable Nigeria to maximise the benefits of its international relationships across various sectors.
Babatunde said Contemporary World Nigeria magazine was established to promote scholarly dialogue among African, Chinese and international researchers.
He added that the publication also aimed to raise public awareness and promote strategic policymaking through scholarly engagement.
“The quarterly publication, launched in Abuja in 2022, accepts research contributions of about 3,000 words.
“Published articles attract honoraria after undergoing peer review,” he said.
Babatunde urged Nigerian scholars to contribute research that offers practical solutions to challenges including climate change, food security, public health, insecurity and youth unemployment.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event brought together academics, journalists and civil society representatives.
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