China and other economic powerhouses in the world admit that Africa is the next frontier and that manpower development is the key to unlock the future human capital centre.
For this, China is said to be desirous of creating a specialized training centre in Africa and Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, seems to be a good choice, though the oil and gas capital of west Africa seems to have chosen the path of self-atrophy.
Now, a team of Chinese investors have stormed Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, where they just sealed deals with private sector operators on March 29, 2025, all despite the state of emergency and sounds of tension.
Details:
The team was led by Sun Zhi Yun (accompanied by Li Baiyan) who is chairman of companies including Hainan Gaoyi Energy Investment Co. Ltd. They had in their midst a female coordinator and interpreter, Julie Zhu, who said she helps Nigeria find investors around the world. In the delegation is also a team of skills trainers.
Hainan is indicated as a pioneer in international bulk commodity trade, focusing on the global circulation of oil and gas, agric products, metal ores, and steel. Its core value spread across China, Singapore, Dubai, Houston, and Rotterdam; with annual cross-border target transaction volume of over 6mmt.
The delegation including Shandong University of Engineering & Vocational Technology (China) and Beijing Zonghui Suiyue Technology Co. Ltd (China) signed a deal with the Garden City Premier Business School run by the president, Prof Silva Opuala-Charles. They also met with a team of business operators from the organized private sector (OPS) in Port Harcourt in what the anchor called ‘meet-and-greet’.
At the session held at the poolside area of the hotel, the Chinese delegation explained their areas of business and the school explained the specialized areas they cover. Oil and gas sector was an area of interest and most of the manufacturers present explained the areas where skills are still deficient in Nigeria.
Julie Zhu said her work supports the Nigerian government and that her duty touches infrastructure development project, mining, and helping Nigeria attract investors. She mentioned the team that handles skills development, saying skills are highly sought after in China because it helps industries.
One the delegation members specializing in skills said China in about 1917 passed through what Nigeria is passing through this moment. She said economic development comes from talents that are converted to skills to industry and finally to economic boom. “We can bring industries to Nigeria.”
All that was needed was to know the particular areas of skills gaps in Nigeria so they can structure their syllabus. She said Nigerians have been travelling to China to acquire skills but China is now ready to bring a centre to Africa.
For those seeking subsidy and scholarship in in the centre, she advised company operating in Nigeria to offer support as their own corporate social responsibility project to send trainees to the centre. The delegation promised to make a case for some form of scholarship from the Chinese government.
Some of disclosures at the meeting revealed scary details of Nigeria’s deficiencies. For instance, it was revealed that whereas China that produces 4mbpd has over 3000 steel pipe producers, Nigeria that produces almost 2mbp has none. One of the sources said despite over 15 years of existence and a high turnover of executive secretaries, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has not been able to push Nigeria to have one steel pipe producing outfit.
Some of the Nigerian business operators that briefed the Chinese on areas of need included Dr Jossy Nkwocha of Indorama-Eleme Petrochemicals and a female business tycoon, Salome Onduku.
Giving details, Prof Opuala-Charles, the anchor of the Port Harcourt Business Breakfast Meeting series and the anchor of the ‘Meet-and-Greet’ session in Port Harcourt, said the Chinese are a serious people who he said are keen on investment. He said they are focused after opportunities and profit, and may not be interested in whether there was political tension or not.
He said the agreement signed is basically to promote vocational training and technology in Nigeria. “Our school (Garden City Premier Business School) has been earmarked to provide China vocational technology here in Nigeria. This afternoon, our mission here is to provide opportunity for interaction between the delegation from China and the business community.
“The business operators would tell them what specific gaps exist in the industry so they can tailor their scheme to meet the needs.”
On how he came about the idea, the President of the Garden City Premier Business School said a lot of people that need job do not have the competences to work in the industry.
He said: “It is a widespread complaint. The skills gap is because people go to the university but fail to get skills because the universities are not designed to provide specialized knowledge. The essence of this initiative is to close this gap so people or job seekers can have specialized skills tailored toward the industry. That is the thematic thrust of this event.
