Dele Alake, minister of solid minerals development, says Chinese firms have invested over $1.3 billion in lithium processing in Nigeria since he assumed office.
Alake spoke at the 2025 China mining conference in Tianjin, according to a statement on Monday by Segun Tomori, his special assistant on media.
The minister asked investors to explore opportunities in Nigeria’s mineral resources including lithium, gold, lead-zinc, barite, and rare earth elements.
Alake also encouraged them to increase their stakes in the country’s solid minerals sector, citing positive reforms, a conducive climate, and enhanced security.
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The statement said he discussed security reforms in the sector, including the mining marshals and satellite mines monitoring project introduced to protect licensed miners and curtail illegal mining.
The minister was said to have cited upgrades in technology, including the electronic mining cadastre, Nigerian mineral resources decision system, and centre of excellence, to ease doing business and processing applications in Nigeria’s mining sector.
“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,” Alake said.
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“The investments have boosted Nigeria’s economic diversification efforts, reduced its dependency on oil and attracted infrastructure, technology transfer, and expertise.
“Joint ventures between Chinese and Nigerian companies in the mining sector often enhance local capabilities and skills among Nigerian workers and engineers.”
ALAKE PUSHES FOR CONTINENTAL COOPERATION IN MINERAL EXPLORATION
Alake reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to continental cooperation in mineral exploration and reporting standards.
The minister emphasised that Africa must build shared systems of knowledge and governance to fully benefit from its vast mineral endowments.
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He outlined plans to strengthen regional centres of excellence in geosciences and mining skills, and expand the solid minerals development fund’s (SMDF) role in supporting early-stage exploration and de-risking investments.
The minister added that Nigeria’s vision is to extract minerals and also build a globally competitive value chain that supports clean energy transition, job creation, and industrial growth — all within the framework of responsible mining.
