In a renewed diplomatic push to strengthen economic cooperation with Nigeria, the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, has reaffirmed Beijing’s commitment to deepening collaboration in the solid minerals sector.
Central to this initiative is China’s plan to establish electric vehicle (EV) factories and scale up industrial investments in the West African nation.
Ambassador Dunhai made the remarks during a weekend courtesy visit to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, in Abuja.
He described Nigeria as a strategic partner in China’s foreign policy landscape, highlighting its vast mineral wealth and growing economic potential.
“Nigeria is a great country blessed with tremendous natural resources. Chinese companies are already deeply involved in the mining sector, from exploration to processing,” he said.
He emphasized that China aims to align its partnership with Nigeria’s national priorities, particularly President Bola Tinubu’s economic diversification agenda that seeks to unlock value from the solid minerals sector.
The envoy also referenced the recent diplomatic engagement between Presidents Tinubu and Xi Jinping in China, where both leaders agreed to upgrade bilateral ties to a “comprehensive strategic partnership”—a move expected to usher in a new era of cooperation.
On the issue of ethical investment, Ambassador Dunhai maintained that the Chinese government stands firmly against illegal mining and has instructed Chinese firms in Nigeria to adhere strictly to local laws and environmental standards.
“We have zero tolerance for illegal mining. The Chinese government is ready to cooperate with Nigerian authorities to bring any culprits to justice,” he declared.
Minister Alake, in his response, welcomed China’s continued support but did not shy away from expressing concern over recent incidents involving some Chinese nationals accused of violating Nigeria’s mining regulations.
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“While most Chinese firms operate within the law, we’ve had cases of misconduct. A viral video recently exposed a Chinese national allegedly bribing local officials. These actions tarnish the image of responsible investors,” Alake said.
He reiterated that the Nigerian government has intensified its crackdown on illegal mining, notably through the deployment of Mining Marshals—a special task force dedicated to enforcing compliance across mining sites nationwide.
Alake further stressed the importance of value addition, noting that the era of exporting raw minerals to power foreign industries is coming to an end.
“With Nigeria’s abundance of lithium and other critical minerals, we are focusing on local processing. We want to see electric vehicles and batteries produced here, not just raw exports,” he said.
He urged the Chinese envoy to encourage investors from China to embrace a full-cycle investment model that includes mineral extraction, processing, and manufacturing—all within Nigeria.
Ambassador Dunhai, in his closing remarks, expressed support for Nigeria’s industrialisation goals and revealed that discussions are already ongoing with Chinese investors to set up EV assembly plants and related infrastructure.
“This aligns with President Xi Jinping’s broader objective of promoting African industrialisation. Nigeria is a key part of that vision,” he noted.
The meeting marks a significant step forward in the evolving economic ties between the two nations, with the solid minerals sector poised to become a cornerstone of Nigeria-China cooperation in the years ahead.