By Ade Iyamoye
China has revealed bold plans to establish electric vehicle (EV), factories in Nigeria as part of a sweeping industrial collaboration between the two nations, aimed at unlocking the potential of Nigeria’s solid minerals and accelerating economic diversification.
During a courtesy visit to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, in Abuja, the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Yu Dunhai, stressed the importance of strengthening bilateral ties through strategic investments.
He said Chinese companies were already active in Nigeria’s mining sector and ready to expand into EV manufacturing.
“Nigeria is richly blessed with natural resources. With our strong diplomatic ties and President Tinubu’s priority on economic diversification, we are poised to deepen our engagement, especially in electric vehicle production,” said Ambassador Dunhai.
He underscored China’s zero tolerance for illegal mining and pledged that all Chinese firms operating in Nigeria would be held to the highest environmental and legal standards.
Responding, Dr. Alake lauded the initiative but raised concern over a few erring firms.
He called for accountability and encouraged full-cycle investments, from mineral extraction to local EV production, rather than exporting raw materials.
“We must process our lithium here and build electric vehicles in Nigeria. That is the future we are committed to,” Alake said.
Plans are already underway for factory construction, signaling a significant leap toward Nigeria’s industrial revival and energy transition.
