The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, has applauded a renewed business relationship between China and Nigeria towards exploring the potential of Nigeria’s Solid Minerals sector through the set-up of electric vehicle factories in Nigeria.
Dunhai made this public while paying a courtesy visit to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, in his office, where he emphasised the importance of closer ties between both nations in advancing Nigeria’s industrial growth.
A statement by the minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Segun Tomori, on Sunday, unveiled plans by China to establish electric vehicle factories in Nigeria.
The ambassador said Nigeria is a great country blessed with tremendous natural resources, noting that China has always placed Nigeria in a very pivotal position in its foreign policy.
Recalling the recent high-level engagement between Presidents Bola Tinubu and Xi Jinping during Tinubu’s state visit to China, Ambassador Dunhai noted that both leaders agreed to elevate bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, creating new opportunities for cooperation.
In his speech, the solid minerals development minister reiterated that Nigeria is open for business to serious investors, stressing that investments in the nation’s mining industry are now focused on local value addition.
He urged the ambassador to encourage Chinese investors to commit to full-cycle investments, from extraction to processing, within Nigeria.
He pointed out Nigeria’s large market and the potential to reduce reliance on fossil fuels through electric vehicle production.
“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 said.
Responding, Ambassador Dunhai expressed support for Nigeria’s local value-addition policy, pointing out that one of President Xi Jinping’s key priorities is promoting African industrialisation.
“Plans are underway to establish electric vehicle factories and other manufacturing ventures in Nigeria.
“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 added.
