Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, has reaffirmed China’s commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation, particularly in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector, through the establishment of electric vehicle (EV) factories and enhanced industrial collaboration.
Speaking during a courtesy visit to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, over the weekend, Ambassador Dunhai underscored Nigeria’s strategic importance in China’s foreign policy, emphasizing economic diversification through mining as a key focus.
“Nigeria is a great country blessed with tremendous natural resources. Chinese companies are deeply involved in exploration and processing, and we aim to deepen this collaboration, aligning with President Tinubu’s priority of economic diversification,” he said.
The ambassador highlighted the recent elevation of Nigeria-China relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership during President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to China, where he met President Xi Jinping.
This agreement, forged at the 2024 FOCAC Summit, opens new avenues for cooperation, particularly in solid minerals like lithium, critical for EV battery production.
Dunhai stressed China’s commitment to responsible investment, noting that the embassy advises Chinese firms to comply with Nigerian laws, fulfill corporate social responsibilities, and uphold environmental and safety standards.
“We have zero tolerance for illegal mining and are ready to cooperate with Nigerian authorities to bring culprits to justice,” he stated.
In response, Alake acknowledged China’s longstanding support for Nigeria’s economic development, noting that most Chinese companies comply with legal and regulatory frameworks.
However, he expressed concern over the activities of a few operators tarnishing China’s image, referencing a recent viral video involving a Chinese national allegedly bribing local security officials.
“We’ve taken action against illegal operators, including some Chinese nationals. While isolated, such incidents undermine the good work of many compliant Chinese firms. We need your cooperation in ensuring that such culprits are brought to justice,” the minister stated.
Alake also highlighted the government’s recent efforts to curb illegal mining through the deployment of Mining Marshals, noting that the initiative has significantly improved compliance and sent a strong message to both local and foreign operators.
The minister reiterated Nigeria’s openness to serious investors, adding that the current focus is on local value addition rather than the export of raw materials.
“For years, our minerals have been exported raw to fuel foreign industrialisation. That must change. We now prioritise 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 explained.
Alake called on Ambassador Dunhai to encourage Chinese investors to adopt a full-cycle investment approach—from mineral extraction to processing—within Nigeria. He emphasised that such a shift would help harness Nigeria’s large market and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Ambassador Dunhai welcomed Nigeria’s value-addition agenda, revealing plans for EV factories and manufacturing ventures in Nigeria, in line with President Xi’s vision for African industrialization.
“These initiatives will support Nigeria’s economic goals and deepen our partnership,” he added.
