China has restated its commitment to expanding industrial and economic collaboration with Nigeria, with a focus on establishing electric vehicle (EV) factories and deepening cooperation in the solid minerals sector.
Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, made the remarks during a courtesy visit to Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, over the weekend.
“Nigeria is a nation of vast potential, rich in mineral resources,” Dunhai said. “Chinese firms are already active in mining activities ranging from exploration to processing. We want to strengthen this partnership further, especially in line with President Tinubu’s economic agenda.”
The ambassador referenced the recent diplomatic engagements between President Bola Tinubu and Chinese President Xi Jinping, during which both leaders agreed to elevate their countries’ relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership. According to Dunhai, this elevated status unlocks new opportunities for technology transfer, industrial investment, and economic collaboration.
Responsible Investment and Zero Tolerance for Illegal Mining
Emphasizing China’s policy on ethical investment, Ambassador Dunhai said the embassy has consistently instructed Chinese businesses in Nigeria to adhere strictly to Nigerian laws, engage in meaningful corporate social responsibility (CSR), and uphold environmental and safety standards.
“We are firmly against illegal mining,” he stated. “The Chinese government will not shield anyone involved in criminal activity. We are ready to collaborate fully with Nigerian authorities to bring offenders to justice.”
Minister Alake: Illegal Operators Tarnish Progress
In his remarks, Minister Dele Alake welcomed the ambassador’s assurance, acknowledging the positive role many Chinese companies have played in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector. However, he expressed concern over the damaging impact of illegal operators, citing a recent viral video that showed a Chinese national allegedly bribing security officials.
“While such cases are not the norm, they cast a shadow over the efforts of responsible Chinese businesses,” Alake said. “We’ve taken firm action against violators some of them Chinese nationals and we’ll continue to rely on your cooperation to ensure accountability.”
The minister also updated the ambassador on the government’s strategy to sanitize the mining environment, including the deployment of a special Mining Marshals task force to clamp down on illegal activities. According to Alake, compliance levels have improved significantly since the rollout of this enforcement initiative.
Nigeria Shifts Focus to Value Addition
Underscoring a shift in national strategy, Alake stressed the importance of local mineral processing over the export of raw resources.
“For too long, Nigeria’s mineral wealth has been exported in its raw form to fuel industrialization abroad,” he said. “That has to stop. We are now prioritizing in-country beneficiation processing minerals locally to create jobs, boost GDP, and drive technological growth.”
With Nigeria’s abundant lithium reserves, Alake pointed to the growing potential for electric vehicle and battery manufacturing, adding that the country is now actively seeking investors who are willing to commit to the full value chain from extraction to production.
He urged the Chinese envoy to encourage investors to adopt a long-term, integrated approach, positioning Nigeria as both a source of critical raw materials and a hub for manufacturing.
China Backs Nigeria’s Industrialisation Vision
In response, Dunhai welcomed the government’s policy shift and confirmed that Chinese investors are already exploring plans to establish electric vehicle factories and other industrial projects in Nigeria. He noted that this aligns with President Xi Jinping’s global initiative to support African industrial development, and pledged China’s continued support for Nigeria’s economic diversification agenda.
“This is a shared vision,” Dunhai concluded. “China stands ready to partner with Nigeria in transforming its mineral wealth into sustainable industrial growth.”
