The Federal Government has given approval for China to set up electric vehicle (EV) factories in Nigeria, marking a new step in the country’s push to industrialise its solid minerals sector and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, made this known during a visit to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, in Abuja.
Ambassador Dunhai said, “Nigeria is a great country blessed with natural resources. China sees Nigeria as a key partner in Africa, and plans are already underway to establish electric vehicle factories and other manufacturing ventures here.”
He added that both President Bola Tinubu and Chinese President Xi Jinping had recently agreed to strengthen their countries’ partnership, opening doors for more investment in solid minerals and manufacturing.
In response, Dr Alake welcomed the plans, stressing that Nigeria was open to serious investors who would invest in full production cycles, from mining to processing, within the country.
“For years, our minerals have been exported raw to fuel foreign industrialisation. That must change. With the abundance of lithium, we want to see local manufacturing of electric vehicles and batteries.” Alake said.
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The minister urged China to encourage its companies to follow Nigeria’s laws and support local development. He acknowledged that most Chinese firms operate legally but warned against illegal practices, citing a recent video showing a Chinese national allegedly bribing security officers.
“We have taken action against illegal operators, including some Chinese nationals. We need your cooperation in ensuring that such culprits are brought to justice,” he said.
Ambassador Dunhai assured that China supports Nigeria’s local value-addition policy and has zero tolerance for illegal mining. He added that the Chinese government expects all its companies in Nigeria to follow rules and carry out corporate social responsibility.
“We aim to deepen our cooperation with Nigeria, especially in line with President Tinubu’s plan to diversify the economy through solid minerals,” Dunhai said.
Minister Alake also praised the government’s Mining Marshals initiative, which he said has helped reduce illegal mining and improve compliance among miners across the country.