The Federal Government of Nigeria in an effort boost the solid minerals sector has deepened bilateral relationship with China. China is set to establish electric vehicle (EV) factories in Nigeria.
The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, confirmed this development, reaffirming China’s commitment to industrial collaboration with Nigeria.
Speaking during a courtesy visit to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, at the weekend, Ambassador Dunhai emphasised stated thus:
“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,”
“We have zero tolerance for illegal mining. The Chinese government is ready to cooperate with Nigerian authorities to bring any culprits to justice”
Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake stated thus:
“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.”
“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”
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