Chinese Investment Firm Explores Strategic Partnership with Igbinedion University Okada

Igbinedion University Okada (IUO), Nigeria’s Premier Private University, hosted a high-level delegation from Shanghai Jianhang Investment Company Ltd. today to discuss potential collaborations across several strategic sectors.

The Vice Chancellor Prof. Lawrence Ikechukwu Ezemonye, PhD, FAS, who warmly welcomed the visiting team gave a brief overview of the University, highlighting its colleges, academic programmes, Centres of Excellence, ICT Academies, and innovative modes of learning.

Speaking at the meeting, the team lead, Mr. Peng Yizhong, thanked the Vice Chancellor for the warm reception and commended the University’s achievements. He explained that the visit was facilitated by the University’s Deputy Chancellor, His Excellency, Chief Dr. Lucky Nosakhare Igbinedion, and that the delegation had come to learn from IUO while exploring areas of partnership and collaboration. 

Mr. Yizhong described Shanghai Jianhang Investment Company as a multifaceted organisation and outlined proposed areas of cooperation, including investment in poultry farming with a focus on egg production and processing, agricultural equipment assembly, health sector initiatives under the China-Nigeria cooperation framework—such as stem cell technology, dietary therapy, immune innovation, and health product sales.

After in-depth discussions, the University identified its priority areas of interest in the proposed partnership, which include the health sector, energy development, ecology and environment, research collaboration in software engineering, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence technology exchanges, the establishment of a joint laboratory, and IUO acting as a major distributor for the company’s health products.

The engagement concluded with a guided tour of key University facilities led by the Vice Chancellor and IUO’s management team.

This visit reflects the strengthening of educational, health, agricultural, and technological ties between China and Nigeria, positioning Igbinedion University Okada to benefit from international expertise and investment opportunities.