Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, says Chinese companies have invested more than $1.3 billion in Nigeria’s lithium processing sector within the past year, signalling faster progress in the country’s push for mineral-based industrial growth.
Speaking in Tianjin at the 2025 China Mining Conference themed “Connect and Collaborate, Co-Build and Co-Share,” Alake highlighted the scale of capital inflow since the Tinubu administration launched its reforms in 2023.
According to the minister, firms including Canmax Technology, Jiuling Lithium, Avatar New Energy Nigeria and Asba have made significant commitments to lithium processing — boosting economic diversification, attracting technology transfer and supporting skills development.
“These investments have strengthened our efforts to reduce oil dependency while developing local capabilities across the mining value chain,” he said in a statement issued by his media aide, Segun Tomori.
Alake urged more investors to take advantage of reforms designed to improve returns and secure licensed mining operations. He pointed to the introduction of Mining Marshals and satellite monitoring systems aimed at curbing illegal mining, alongside digital upgrades such as the Electronic Mining Cadastre (eMC+) and the Nigerian Mineral Resources Decision System (NMRDS).
He reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to regional collaboration through his role as chairman of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG), saying the continent must cooperate more closely to maximise its mineral wealth.
Alake said the government is strengthening Centres of Excellence in Geosciences and Mining Skills and expanding the Solid Minerals Development Fund to support exploration and de-risk investments.
“We invite investors to explore Nigeria’s vast opportunities in lithium, gold, lead-zinc, barite, and rare earth elements. Our goal is not only mineral extraction, but building a globally competitive value chain that drives clean energy adoption, job creation and industrial growth through responsible mining,” he added.
