China Moves to Establish Electric Vehicle Factories in Nigeria, Strengthen Solid Minerals Ties
By Chijioke Courage Nkemjika
The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, has called for deeper collaboration between Nigeria and China, particularly in the solid minerals sector, as part of efforts to drive industrialisation and economic diversification in the country.
Speaking during a courtesy visit to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, at his office in Abuja, Ambassador Dunhai revealed that China is actively planning to set up electric vehicle manufacturing plants in Nigeria. He said this move aligns with both countries’ shared commitment to industrial growth and the strategic use of Nigeria’s vast mineral resources.
“Nigeria is a great country, richly endowed with natural resources,” Dunhai said. “China has always regarded Nigeria as an important strategic partner in Africa, and we are ready to do more to support your industrial and economic transformation.”
The ambassador’s visit follows the recent high-level engagement between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Chinese President Xi Jinping during Tinubu’s state visit to Beijing. The meeting culminated in an agreement to elevate bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership—one that opens new doors for investment, trade, and technical cooperation.
In a statement released by the Minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Segun Tomori, on Sunday, the Chinese government’s interest in establishing electric vehicle (EV) factories in Nigeria was described as a significant step toward deepening cooperation in the mining and manufacturing sectors.
Dr. Alake, while receiving the envoy, stated that the country is actively repositioning its mining sector to attract long-term, responsible investors. He emphasised that the country is no longer interested in raw mineral exports without value addition.
“For too long, Nigeria’s minerals have been exported in raw form to fuel the industrial growth of other countries,” the minister said. “That must stop. We are now focused on local processing and manufacturing to drive our own development.”
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He noted that the country possesses significant deposits of lithium and other critical minerals needed for the global energy transition, particularly in the production of electric vehicles and batteries.
“We want investors who will take the full journey with us—from extraction to processing and final manufacturing—right here in Nigeria,” Alake said. “This is how we create jobs, build skills, and transform our economy.”
In response, Ambassador Dunhai expressed strong support for Nigeria’s policy on local value addition. He said that promoting African industrialisation is one of President Xi Jinping’s top priorities, and that Chinese companies are already playing active roles in Nigeria’s mining sector.
“Plans are already underway to establish electric vehicle factories and other manufacturing ventures in Nigeria,” Dunhai said. “Many Chinese companies are currently involved in exploration and processing here, and we are eager to deepen that engagement.”
He also assured the minister that China takes issues of compliance seriously. According to him, the Chinese embassy and government have consistently urged Chinese firms in Nigeria to operate within the law, uphold environmental standards, and fulfill their corporate social responsibilities.
“China has zero tolerance for illegal mining,” the ambassador said. “We are ready to cooperate fully with the Nigerian government to ensure that companies involved in illegal activities are identified and prosecuted.”
The ambassador’s comments come amid growing concerns over the activities of some illegal miners in the country, including a few foreign nationals. In recent weeks, a viral video circulated online showing a Chinese national allegedly bribing local security personnel, sparking public outrage.
Addressing the issue, Dr. Alake acknowledged that while most Chinese firms in Nigeria are law-abiding and contribute positively to the economy, the actions of a few are damaging the reputation of their country.
“We have taken action against illegal operators, including some Chinese nationals,” the minister said. “Although these incidents are isolated, they send the wrong message and overshadow the good work being done by responsible firms.”
He called on the Chinese government to assist Nigeria in identifying and penalising rogue operators, and praised the establishment of the Mining Marshals, a special security unit tasked with curbing illegal mining across the country.
“The Mining Marshals have made a visible impact,” Alake said. “They’ve increased compliance, improved security, and sent a strong message that illegal mining will no longer be tolerated.”
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to working together in a transparent and mutually beneficial manner, with a focus on long-term sustainability, industrial growth, and shared prosperity.
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By Chijioke Courage Nkemjika
