The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, has announced that Chinese companies have invested $1.3 billion in lithium processing in Nigeria.
Dr Alake made this statement during his address at the 2025 China Mining Conference, themed “Connect and Collaborate, Co-Build and Co-Share,” held in Tianjin.
This information was relayed through a statement by the minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Segun Tomori, on Sunday in Abuja.
Mr Tomori reported that Dr Alake reviewed the activities of Chinese mining enterprises in Nigeria and acknowledged their significant contributions to lithium processing since President Bola Tinubu’s administration took office.
He stated, “Since September 2023, when this administration assumed office, Chinese companies such as Canmax Technology, Jiuling Lithium, Avatar New Energy Nigeria Company, and Asba have invested over $1.3 billion in lithium processing.
“These investments have bolstered Nigeria’s economic diversification efforts, reduced dependency on oil, and attracted infrastructure, technology transfer, and expertise.
“Joint ventures between Chinese and Nigerian firms in the mining sector often enhance local capabilities and skills among Nigerian workers and engineers.”
The minister encouraged investors to increase their participation in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector, highlighting reforms that present opportunities for higher returns.
He pointed out security reforms, including the establishment of mining marshals and a satellite monitoring system for mining sites, aimed at curbing illegal mining and safeguarding licensed operators.
Dr Alake emphasised the ministry’s commitment to facilitating ease of doing business within the sector through technological upgrades, such as the Electronic Mining Cadastre (eMC+) and the implementation of the Nigerian Mineral Resources Decision System (NMRDS).
According to Dr Alake, the processing of mining licence applications through the eMC+ and the utilisation of the NMRDS for mineral information are enhancing remote transactions in Nigeria’s mining sector.
As the chairman of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG), Dr Alake reaffirmed Nigeria’s dedication to strengthening continental cooperation in mineral exploration and reporting standards.
He stressed that Africa must develop shared systems of knowledge and governance to fully realise the benefits of its abundant mineral resources.
He reiterated plans to bolster the regional Centres of Excellence in Geosciences and Mining Skills and to expand the role of the Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF) in supporting early-stage exploration and de-risking investments.
Dr Alake added, “We warmly invite investors, development partners, and technical institutions to explore Nigeria’s vast opportunities in minerals such as lithium, gold, lead-zinc, barite, and rare earth elements. Our government provides a conducive investment climate, improved security of tenure, and incentives that ensure mutual benefit.
“Nigeria’s vision extends beyond merely extracting minerals; it aims to establish a globally competitive value chain that supports clean energy transition, job creation, and industrial growth, all within the framework of responsible mining.”
(NAN)
