DELE ALAKE: CHINESE FIRMS HAVE INVESTED $1.3BN IN LITHIUM PROCESSING SINCE I ASSUMED OFFICE

By Ademola Adekusibe
October 27, 2025.

Dele Alake, minister of solid minerals development, says Chinese companies have invested over $1.3 billion in lithium processing plants across Nigeria since he assumed office.

Alake disclosed this while addressing participants at the 2025 China Mining Conference in Tianjin, according to a statement on Monday by his media aide, Segun Tomori.

The minister described the growing Chinese interest in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector as evidence of renewed investor confidence and a direct outcome of President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms.

He noted that the investments cover the establishment of lithium processing and value-addition facilities in several states, particularly in the North-Central and South-West regions, which have some of the largest deposits of lithium in the country.

Alake urged foreign investors to take advantage of the government’s policy direction, which prioritises local processing over raw mineral export, stressing that Nigeria is committed to becoming a global hub for critical minerals like lithium, gold, lead-zinc, barite, and rare earth elements.

He emphasised that the administration’s goal is to ensure that Nigeria moves beyond exporting raw materials to building a sustainable mineral-based industrial economy that creates jobs and increases government revenue.

According to him, ongoing reforms in the sector, including the introduction of a new mining cadastre system, improved security around mining corridors, and enhanced transparency measures, have made Nigeria a safer and more attractive destination for responsible investors.

Alake added that the government remains open to partnerships that will promote technology transfer, environmental sustainability, and community development in mining host areas.