The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, has emphasized the need for stronger cooperation between China and Nigeria to unlock the potential of the country’s solid minerals sector, particularly through the development of electric vehicle factories.
Dunhai made this known during a courtesy visit to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, where he underscored the importance of deepening bilateral ties to support Nigeria’s industrial growth.
Ambassador Yu Dunhai described Nigeria as a great nation endowed with abundant natural resources, emphasizing that China regards Nigeria as a key player in its foreign policy.
He recalled the recent high-level engagement between Presidents Bola Tinubu and Xi Jinping during Tinubu’s state visit to China, noting that both leaders agreed to upgrade bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership, paving the way for expanded cooperation and investment opportunities.
The Chinese ambassador stated that the government consistently advises Chinese companies operating in Nigeria to comply with local laws, uphold environmental and safety standards, and meet their corporate social responsibility (CSR) obligations as part of its stance on responsible investment.
According to him, “We have zero tolerance for illegal mining. The Chinese government is ready to cooperate with Nigerian authorities to bring any culprits to justice.”
Dunhai expressed support for Nigeria’s local value-addition policy, noting that African industrialization is a key priority for President Xi Jinping. He stated that plans are underway to establish electric vehicle factories and other manufacturing ventures in Nigeria.
He further added that “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.”
In response, Dr. Dele Alake acknowledged China’s long-standing support for Nigeria’s economic growth and noted that most Chinese companies operate within legal and regulatory frameworks.
However, he raised concerns over the conduct of a few operators damaging China’s reputation, citing a recent viral video showing a Chinese national allegedly bribing local security agents.
“We have 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.
The minister also noted the impact of the Mining Marshals established to combat illegal mining, saying the unit has raised awareness, sent a strong deterrent message, and boosted regulatory compliance among both local and foreign operators in the mining sector.
