The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, has reaffirmed China’s commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation with Nigeria, particularly in the solid minerals sector, through the establishment of electric vehicle (EV) factories and increased industrial collaboration.
Speaking during a courtesy visit to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, at the weekend, Ambassador Dunhai emphasised the strategic importance of Nigeria in China’s foreign policy.
“Nigeria is a great country blessed with tremendous natural resources. Chinese companies are already deeply involved in Nigeria’s mining sector, from exploration to processing.
“We aim to deepen this collaboration, especially in line with President Tinubu’s eight priority areas, notably economic diversification through solid minerals,” he said.
Ambassador Dunhai recalled the recent high-level engagement between President Bola Tinubu and President Xi Jinping during the Nigerian leader’s state visit to China.
He noted that both presidents agreed to elevate bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership, unlocking new avenues for cooperation.
Highlighting the Chinese government’s stance on responsible investment, the ambassador stated that the embassy consistently advises Chinese firms operating in Nigeria to respect local laws, fulfil corporate social responsibility (CSR), and uphold environmental and safety 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 stressed.
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.
In his concluding remarks, Ambassador Dunhai welcomed Nigeria’s value-addition agenda, disclosing that plans are already underway to establish electric vehicle factories and other manufacturing ventures in Nigeria. He noted that this aligns with President Xi Jinping’s broader goal of promoting African industrialisation.
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