The Federal Government has given approval for China to set up electric vehicle factories in Nigeria as part of efforts to boost the country’s solid minerals sector and encourage local manufacturing.
The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, announced this during a visit to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, in Abuja.
Ambassador Dunhai said the partnership between China and Nigeria would support the industrial growth of Nigeria. He added that both countries had agreed to deepen their relationship after the recent meeting between President Bola Tinubu and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
“Nigeria is a great country blessed with rich natural resources. China places great value on our relationship with Nigeria,” the ambassador said.
He revealed that plans were already ongoing to build electric vehicle factories in Nigeria, alongside other manufacturing investments.
“Chinese companies are already working in Nigeria’s mining sector, and we want to expand that partnership. We aim to support President Tinubu’s goals, especially in economic growth through solid minerals,” he added.
He also promised that Chinese companies in Nigeria would follow all rules and environmental standards. “We have zero tolerance for illegal mining. Any Chinese national involved in wrongdoing will face justice,” he said.
Minister Dele Alake welcomed the announcement and called on China to focus on full-cycle investments. He explained that Nigeria no longer wants to export raw minerals without adding value locally.
“For years, our minerals have been exported raw to build other economies. That must stop,” Alake said. “With the amount of lithium we have, Nigeria can become a major producer of electric vehicles and batteries.”
Alake also thanked China for its support but warned against illegal practices by a few Chinese companies, referencing a viral video of a Chinese national allegedly bribing security officers.
“We have taken action against illegal operators, including some Chinese nationals,” he stated. “We want your cooperation to ensure these people are punished. Their actions damage the reputation of law-abiding Chinese businesses.”
The minister noted that Nigeria’s new Mining Marshals are helping to reduce illegal mining and improve compliance in the sector.
