The Made in China Goods Traders’ Association of Nigeria has asked the Chinese Consulate in Lagos to support a range of initiatives covering healthcare, artificial intelligence, education and international trade.
The Association made the appeal in a letter signed by its National President, Oluwole Adigun, and addressed to the Consul-General of China in Lagos, Mrs. Yan Yuqing.
The letter, dated Monday, August 17, 2026, followed the participation of the Association’s executives in a Bamboo and Rattan Seminar organised by Chinese authorities.
Among the major requests contained in the letter was assistance with organising a cataract treatment outreach for less privileged residents in Lagos.
Adigun said the proposed medical programme would target people who require cataract surgery but are unable to afford the cost of treatment.
According to him, restoring the sight of vulnerable residents would not only improve their health but also help them regain independence and participate more actively in their families and communities.
The traders’ association said it was willing to work with the Chinese Consulate to identify suitable beneficiaries and coordinate the proposed medical intervention.
The appeal comes as Nigeria and China continue to expand cooperation beyond conventional trade and into areas including healthcare, education, technology and skills development.
The Association also asked the Chinese authorities to consider its members for opportunities under China’s newly announced international artificial intelligence training initiative.
Chinese President, Xi Jinping, announced in July that China would provide developing countries with 5,000 opportunities through AI training and seminar programmes over the next five years. The initiative is designed to improve access to AI knowledge and strengthen technological capacity in developing countries.
Adigun therefore appealed for qualified members of the Association to benefit from the programme, particularly as artificial intelligence is increasingly influencing business, manufacturing, commerce and other areas of economic activity.
The traders said access to AI and other emerging technology training could equip their members with knowledge that would improve the way they conduct business and respond to changes in the global economy.
Beyond technology, the Association requested access to undergraduate and master’s degree scholarship opportunities provided by the Chinese Government.
Adigun said such educational opportunities would help members and their families acquire additional skills and professional qualifications while contributing to broader human-capital development.
He argued that empowering traders with education and modern technological knowledge could have benefits beyond individual businesses, potentially strengthening their contribution to Nigeria’s economic development.
Traders Seek Access To Major China Trade Fairs
The Association also placed international trade opportunities at the centre of its request to the Chinese Consulate.
It asked for assistance in facilitating the participation of its members in two major international exhibitions scheduled to take place in China later this year.
One of the events is the 140th China Import and Export Fair, popularly known as the Canton Fair, which will hold in Guangzhou from October 15 to November 4, 2026.
The official schedule shows that the fair will be conducted in three phases: October 15 to 19, October 23 to 27, and October 31 to November 4.
The second event is the ninth China International Import Expo, scheduled for November 5 to 10, 2026, at the National Exhibition and Convention Centre in Shanghai. The official CIIE platform has confirmed the dates and opened registration and online matchmaking services for professional visitors.
The traders believe participation in the exhibitions could expose Nigerian businesses to manufacturers, suppliers, investors and potential international partners.
According to the Association, such exposure would allow members from different parts of Nigeria to identify new products, study emerging technologies, establish commercial relationships and explore opportunities for expanding their businesses.
The Association also believes stronger participation by Nigerian traders in Chinese trade exhibitions could facilitate investment partnerships and create opportunities for technology transfer.
For traders whose businesses depend heavily on imports from China, direct engagement with manufacturers and suppliers could also provide opportunities to understand new products and market trends while developing relationships beyond conventional buying arrangements.
The group said these engagements could ultimately contribute to stronger commercial ties between Nigeria and China.
Appreciation For Bamboo And Rattan Programme
Adigun also used the letter to appreciate the Chinese Consul-General for the Bamboo and Rattan Seminar attended by the Association’s executives.
He said the programme gave participants a broader understanding of the economic and sustainable-development potential of bamboo and rattan.
The Association intends to apply knowledge gained from the seminar to benefit its members and their communities.
The development reflects the Association’s wider interest in moving beyond traditional trading activities and exposing its members to areas that could support innovation, production and economic empowerment.
Adigun expressed appreciation to the Chinese Government and its representatives for what he described as their friendship and support for Nigeria.
He specifically acknowledged President Xi Jinping and Chinese diplomatic representatives while reaffirming the Association’s commitment to cooperation and mutual respect.
The latest appeal from the Made in China Goods Traders Association comes at a time when China is positioning AI development, skills transfer and international cooperation as important components of its engagement with developing countries.
China’s 5,000 AI training and seminar opportunities announced by Xi are intended for developing countries over a five-year period, while the country has also announced plans to deepen international cooperation on AI through organisations and regional groupings including the African Union and BRICS.
For the Nigerian traders, securing access to such opportunities could provide their members with additional skills while strengthening the business and people-to-people connections that already exist between Nigeria and China.
The Association’s requests therefore span three important areas — improving access to healthcare for vulnerable Nigerians, expanding educational and technological opportunities for its members, and increasing the participation of Nigerian traders in global commerce.
Whether the Chinese Consulate will approve or facilitate the requests remains to be seen, but the proposals highlight the growing expectations of Nigerian business groups that bilateral relations with China should translate into practical benefits in healthcare, education, technology and trade.
The Association represents traders operating across several Nigerian states and involved in businesses connected to Chinese-made goods and wider commercial activities.