Photo: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
By Douglas Maha
China has expressed strong interest in deepening its partnership with Nigeria through investments in its solid minerals sector, particularly by establishing electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing plants.
The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, disclosed this during a courtesy visit to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, in Abuja.
Ambassador Dunhai highlighted Nigeria’s vast mineral wealth and strategic position in China’s foreign policy, referencing the recent agreement between Presidents Bola Tinubu and Xi Jinping to upgrade bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership, opening new avenues for industrial collaboration.
According to a statement from the minister’s media aide, Segun Tomori, China’s interest includes setting up EV factories as part of broader efforts to support Nigeria’s economic diversification. Dunhai noted that several Chinese firms already operate in the Nigerian mining sector and are prepared to expand into processing and manufacturing.
Dr. Alake, in response, reaffirmed Nigeria’s openness to serious investors committed to full value-chain participation—from mineral extraction to finished products. He stressed the need to shift from exporting raw materials to domestic processing and manufacturing, especially in critical minerals like lithium.
“For years, our resources have powered industries abroad. Now, we’re prioritising local processing to fuel our development,” Alake said.
The ambassador endorsed this shift, aligning it with China’s broader goal of supporting African industrialisation. He also emphasised China’s zero-tolerance policy on illegal mining, assuring the minister that Chinese companies are expected to comply with Nigerian laws and environmental standards.
Alake welcomed China’s cooperation but raised concerns about the actions of a few bad actors among foreign firms. Referring to a recent viral video showing a Chinese national allegedly bribing local security personnel, he stressed the need for joint efforts to hold offenders accountable.
He also noted the positive impact of Nigeria’s newly deployed Mining Marshals, which have begun to curb illegal operations and improve compliance across the sector.
