The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, has revealed exciting plans to establish electric vehicle factories and other manufacturing ventures in Nigeria. This announcement was made during a recent bilateral meeting with the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake.
According to a statement from Mr. Alake’s special assistant on media, Segun Tomori, the ambassador emphasized the importance of enhancing collaboration between China and Nigeria to unlock the potential of Nigeria’s solid minerals sector through the establishment of electric vehicle production facilities.
Mr. Dunhai expressed strong support for Nigeria’s local value-addition policy, highlighting that one of President Xi Jinping’s key priorities is to promote Africa’s industrialization. He noted that both leaders agreed to elevate bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, aimed at creating new opportunities for cooperation in various sectors, including mining and manufacturing.
In his remarks, Mr. Tomori quoted Ambassador Dunhai stating, “Chinese companies are already deeply involved in Nigeria’s mining sector, from exploration to processing. We aim to deepen this collaboration, especially in alignment with President Tinubu’s eight priority areas, notably economic diversification through solid minerals.”
Addressing concerns raised by Minister Alake regarding the actions of a few operators tarnishing China’s image, the ambassador assured that the embassy and the Chinese government advocate for strict compliance with regulations. He mentioned that Chinese companies operating in Nigeria have been urged to adhere to local laws, implement corporate social responsibility initiatives, and follow environmental and safety standards.
Ambassador Dunhai also stressed that Chinese authorities maintain a zero tolerance policy for illegal mining and are prepared to partner with the Nigerian government to bring suspected culprits to justice.
Minister Alake acknowledged Nigeria’s vast market potential and its ability to reduce reliance on fossil fuels through electric vehicle production. He reaffirmed the long-standing relations between Nigeria and China, noting that most Chinese firms operate within legal and regulatory frameworks. However, he did express concerns over the actions of a minority of operators and stated that legal measures are being taken to address these issues.
“We have taken action against illegal operators, including some Chinese nationals. While these incidents are isolated, they undermine the good work of many compliant Chinese firms. We need your cooperation in ensuring that such culprits are brought to justice,” he said.
The minister reiterated that Nigeria is open to serious investors, emphasizing that investments in the nation’s mining industry should focus on local value addition. “We now prioritize local processing to drive Nigeria’s development. For instance, with the abundance of lithium, we want to see local manufacturing of electric vehicles and batteries,” he concluded.
