The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, has reaffirmed China’s commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation with Nigeria, particularly in the solid minerals sector, through the establishment of electric vehicle (EV) factories and increased industrial collaboration.

Ambassador Dunhai disclosed this yesterday during a courtesy visit to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake.

Ambassador Dunhai emphasised the strategic importance of Nigeria in China’s foreign policy.

“Nigeria is a great country blessed with tremendous natural resources. Chinese companies are already deeply involved in Nigeria’s mining sector, from exploration to processing.

“We aim to deepen this collaboration, especially in line with President Tinubu’s eight priority areas, notably economic diversification through solid minerals,” he said.

Ambassador Dunhai recalled the recent high-level engagement between President Bola Tinubu and President Xi Jinping during the Nigerian leader’s state visit to China.

In response, Alake acknowledged China’s longstanding support for Nigeria’s economic development, noting that most Chinese companies comply with legal and regulatory frameworks.

However, he expressed concern over the activities of a few operators tarnishing China’s image, referencing a recent viral video involving a Chinese national allegedly bribing local security officials.

“We’ve taken action against illegal operators, including some Chinese nationals. While isolated, such incidents undermine the good work of many compliant Chinese firms. We need your cooperation in ensuring that such culprits are brought to justice,” the minister stated.

Nigeria’s inflation dropped to 23.7 percent in April, from 24.23 percent in March 2025.

The National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, disclosed this in its April Consumer Price Index and inflation data released on Thursday.

The figure showed that Nigeria’s inflation cooled off by 1.86 percent on a month-on-month basis.

Similarly, the food inflation rate in April stood at 21.26 percent.

“In April 2025, the headline inflation rate eased to 23.71 percent relative to the March 2025 headline inflation rate of 24.23 percent.

“The MoM headline inflation rate in April 2025 was 1.86 percent.

The food inflation rate was 21.26 percent (YoY),” NBS wrote on its X account on Thursday.

The latest CPI data comes ahead of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Monetary Policy Committee meeting slated for May 19 and 20, 2025.

Recall that Nigeria’s inflation rose to 24.23 percent in March for the first time after CPI rebase in January 2025.

In February, the CBN MPC paused interest rate hikes after inflation dropped.

Lagos State Government said it has attracted over $200 million in partnership deal with the Abu Dhabi Ports aimed at developing critical infrastructure and logistics within the Lekki corridor.

The investment is also aimed at boosting ICT innovation and healthcare facilities.

The State Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, said this during the ongoing ministerial press briefing to mark the 2nd year in office of the second term of the State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu at Alausa, Ikeja.

The State government recently held a roundtable investment forum as part of measures to boost its economy.

The Commissioner revealed that, “As a result of the Lagos Investment Roundtable, numerous Expressions of Interest from local and foreign investors are under active discussion.”