The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maitama Yusuf Tuggar, has revealed that he urged China to invest in refining lithium within Nigeria, rather than allowing the mineral to be exported for processing.
Gists9ja reports that this request was made during the visit of China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, who was in Nigeria on Thursday as part of a diplomatic mission.
Yi’s visit aimed to facilitate the implementation of agreements reached during the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). During an interview on Channels TV, Tuggar explained that the demand for Chinese investment in local lithium refining aligns with the Nigerian government’s policy of promoting domestic production.
Tuggar further outlined that the government’s goal is for Chinese businesses to take advantage of the country’s trade zones to establish electric vehicle (EV) assembly plants. This, he said, would not only enhance Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings but also create significant employment opportunities for citizens.
He elaborated, “Instead of exporting lithium to China, we are advocating for its refinement here in Nigeria. You may be aware of a Chinese group that has invested in metals refining in Nasarawa State. We want to see more of such investments. We also want Chinese companies to use our special economic zones for electric vehicle assembly plants, which would help position Nigeria as a hub for electric vehicle production.”
Tuggar emphasized that with Nigeria’s abundant lithium resources, which are critical for EV batteries, establishing a local supply and value chain would significantly benefit the country. “Let’s domesticate the entire process, from mining to refining, to assembling the vehicles,” he concluded.
