By Charles Pemu 
The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, has underscored the need for deeper collaboration between China and Nigeria to unlock the vast potential of Nigeria’s solid minerals sector through strategic industrial investment—most notably, the establishment of electric vehicle (EV) factories in the country.
Ambassador Dunhai made this known during a courtesy visit to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, in Abuja. The visit, aimed at strengthening bilateral ties, highlighted new avenues for cooperation between the two nations in line with Nigeria’s renewed focus on industrialisation and value addition.
According to a statement released on Sunday by the minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Segun Tomori, China is laying the groundwork for the establishment of EV manufacturing plants in Nigeria, a move poised to transform the country’s mining and automotive sectors.
“Nigeria is a great country blessed with tremendous natural resources,” Ambassador Dunhai remarked. “China has always placed Nigeria in a pivotal position in our foreign policy.”
He recalled the recent high-level meeting between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and President Xi Jinping in Beijing, which culminated in both countries agreeing to elevate their bilateral relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership. He noted that this upgrade creates fresh opportunities for economic cooperation and industrial growth.
In response, Dr. Alake reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to partner with serious investors willing to commit to full-cycle investments within the country.
“For years, our minerals have been exported raw to fuel foreign industrialisation. That must change,” Alake said. “We now prioritise local processing to drive Nigeria’s development. For instance, with our abundance of lithium, we want to see local manufacturing of electric vehicles and batteries.”
He urged Ambassador Dunhai to encourage Chinese companies to align with Nigeria’s value-addition policy, particularly as the country pushes toward economic diversification and reduced reliance on fossil fuels.
Ambassador Dunhai voiced strong support for these initiatives, citing President Xi’s commitment to promoting African industrialisation. He revealed that Chinese companies are already involved in Nigeria’s mining sector, and efforts are underway to expand their presence into EV and battery production.
“Chinese companies are already deeply engaged in exploration and processing activities,” he said. “We are ready to deepen this collaboration in support of President Tinubu’s economic agenda.”
On regulatory compliance, the ambassador stressed that the Chinese government maintains a zero-tolerance stance on illegal mining. He noted that all Chinese firms are expected to adhere strictly to Nigerian laws, implement corporate social responsibility initiatives, and follow environmental and safety standards.
Dr. Alake acknowledged the positive contributions of many Chinese firms but expressed concern over isolated incidents of misconduct. He referenced a recent viral video involving a Chinese national allegedly bribing security agents and called for joint efforts to root out such malpractice.
“We have taken action against illegal operators, including some Chinese nationals,” Alake said. “These isolated cases can tarnish the image of the many compliant firms. We count on your cooperation to ensure such culprits are brought to justice.”
The minister also highlighted the impact of the recently established Mining Marshals in curbing illegal mining activities. He noted that their operations have significantly improved compliance among local and foreign operators alike.
The meeting ended with a mutual commitment to enhanced cooperation, responsible investment, and shared prosperity in Nigeria’s solid minerals and manufacturing sectors.