By Bernard Daniel
Nigeria is positioning itself to be the manufacturing hub for China to serve the African continent, with Nigeria’s rich mineral resources as the main attraction.
This was disclosed Thursday in Abuja by the Director General of the NIgeria – China Strategic Partnership (NCSP), MrJoseph Tegbe in an interview with TheMiners.
Tegbe spoke on the sideline of an international conference organised by the Centre for Contemporary China – Africa Research in Nigeria.
The event, focused on advancing China-Africa Community Shared Future, had the theme: “Jointly Advancing China -Africa modernization and achieving the 10 partnership action plan in all-weather China – Africa community with a shared future.”
It had in attendance the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Yu Dunhai; Professor Gong Weibin, CNAG Vice President; Director, Centre for Contemporary China-Africa Research, Prof. Sheriff Ghali Ibrahim and other keynote speakers and panellists.
Tegbe said the only way Nigeria could close its annual $20b trade deficit with China is by increasing the value of its exports, which currently stands at a measly $3b annually. In contrast, Brazil records a $109b trade with China, mostly driven by export of Iron Ore, soya beans and others.
Tegbe also said the best way to tackle issues of illegal mining and security threats related to artisanal mining is to embrace commercial operations in the sector.
“We can only make significant strides in mining if we embrace commercial mining in which we add value to our minerals before export,” he said. “This has been the position of the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr Dele Alake.
” I am glad to say that today, you cannot take our lithium out without first refining it locally. We are also encouraging manufacturing industries to come into other minerals, including lead and gold. We are going to have industries manufacturing EV batteries and other EV solutions here.”
Tegbe also said the best way to tackle issues of illegal mining and security threats related to artisanal mining is to embrace commercial operations in the sector.
Prof. Sheriff, the Centre’s Director, delivered an insightful welcome address on the need and timeliness for such a conference in the light of developing strategic relationship between Nigeria, which fast evolving into the gateway to Africa’s economy for China.
Ambassador Dunhai highlighted some of the strategic initiatives that have been undertaken and also being considered by the governments of Nigeria and China within the few months he has taken on the baton of leadership as Ambassador.
These include the MOU between a Chinese firm and Nasarawa Government for Lithium and the high-powered bilateral meeting between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Chinese President, Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Tuesday, September 3.
At the event, the two leaders announced the elevation of China-Nigeria relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership from just a strategic partnership, signaling deeper ties between the world’s second most populous nation and the most populous black nation on earth.
Tegbe equally assured Nigerians of big projects and plans underway which will soon position Nigerian better on the global market. He hinted on the revival of the Ajaokuta steel company in Kogi state within the next six months owing to ongoing talks with potential investors.
The conference also featured three panel sessions, featuring paper presentations by academics and nation building stakeholders.
Also in attendance at the conference were students from the University of Abuja, journalists, policy makers and enthusiasts of the rapporteurs in Nigeria -China relations.
The centre for contemporary China Africa Research in Nigeria is a Think – Tank and a Research Centre incorporated and approved by the Nigerian government to run as a Research Centre on China- Africa cooperation.
