Vice President Kashim Shettima has commissioned Nigeria’s largest lithium processing plant in Nasarawa State, declaring that the solid minerals sector will play a central role in the Federal Government’s drive to diversify the economy, create jobs and position Nigeria as a major player in the global minerals market.
Representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the inauguration of the Diamond New Energy Projects lithium processing facility on Thursday, Shettima said the investment reflects growing confidence in Nigeria’s economic reforms and its vast mineral potential.
He stressed that the country must move beyond exporting raw minerals to processing them locally in order to unlock greater economic value.
“What changes a nation is the deliberate movement from extraction to processing, from potential to production, from raw materials to value-added goods, and from isolated investments to integrated industrial ecosystems,” the Vice President said.
According to him, Nigeria stands at a critical crossroads and must leverage its abundant mineral resources to drive industrialisation, create employment opportunities and build local capacity.
He described solid minerals as the backbone of modern technology, noting that no technological advancement is possible without critical minerals such as lithium, gold, tin, iron ore and rare earth elements.
Shettima said the commissioning of the facility demonstrates investor confidence in both Nigeria and the reform agenda of the Tinubu administration.
“It represents confidence that Nigeria is ready to participate in the global minerals economy on terms that create jobs, build skills, strengthen local enterprises and expand our productive base,” he stated.
The Vice President also commended Governor Abdullahi Sule for positioning Nasarawa State as a leading destination for mining and mineral processing investments, describing the state as a model for responsible extractive industry development.
Governor Sule, in his remarks, said the establishment of the lithium processing plant reinforces Nasarawa’s status as one of Nigeria’s most resource-rich investment destinations.
He urged more local and foreign investors to take advantage of the state’s abundant solid mineral deposits and its proximity to the Federal Capital Territory.
Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, said reforms introduced by the Federal Government have significantly improved investor confidence in Nigeria’s mining sector.
He described the lithium processing plant as evidence of the government’s commitment to promoting value addition and industrial development rather than exporting raw mineral resources.
Also speaking, Senator representing Nasarawa West, Ahmed Wadada, urged the company to expand beyond mineral processing into the local manufacturing of lithium batteries to maximise value addition, create more jobs and boost Nigeria’s industrial capacity.
Chairman of Nasarawa Local Government Area, Mohammed Ahmed, said the project would generate employment, increase internally generated revenue and stimulate economic activities in the host community, assuring investors of a peaceful business environment.
Speaking on behalf of the investors, Ambassador of Jiuling and Canmax, Yu Chongqiang, said the companies chose Nasarawa because of its investor-friendly policies and disclosed plans to expand operations in Nigeria to meet growing global demand for lithium products.
The Emir of Keffi, Shehu Chindo Yamusa III, who spoke on behalf of the Nasarawa State Council of Chiefs, welcomed the investment, saying it would strengthen Nigeria’s position in mineral processing and value addition while promoting economic development in the state.
