The Federal Government says it will soon inaugurate a 600 million dollar lithium plant near the Kaduna‑Niger border.
The Minister for Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake stated this at the opening of the ongoing 4th African Natural Resources and Energy Investment Summit, AFNIS at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
In May 2024, the Federal government commissioned Nigeria’s first domestic lithium processing plant in Nasarawa State with a daily capacity of 4,000 tons, expected to create 4,000 jobs.
Dr. Alake said the additional $200 million refinery on the outskirts of Abuja is at an advanced stage, explaining that no new mining license would be issued without a local processing plant to ensure that these investments retain value in-country.
He explained that the sector has secured over $800 million in investments for processing projects last year, while government revenues increased significantly.
Dr. Alake who said plans were underway to establish an electric vehicle assembly plant in Nigeria stressed that with abundant lithium, there would be increased local manufacturing of electric vehicles and batteries.
Alake appealed to African countries to take control of their natural resources and add value to them before export noting that Africa’s mineral wealth holds immense potential for meeting sustainable development goals.
“We seek to build a future where Africa’s natural wealth is no longer a statistic in someone else’s report. We aspire to a continent where its natural wealth serves as a driving force for industrial growth, equity, and sustainable development” the Minister stated.
Dr. Alake further explained that the launch of the Africans for Africa Fund under AFNIS and the establishment of the Solid Minerals Development Fund would support small-scale miners, build critical infrastructure, mitigate investment risk in exploration and processing and ensure that Africa owns the capital and the value chain.
The Minister who stressed that the nation is implementing reforms to formalise mining and boost domestic value addition said the government has introduced policies to require local processing of minerals before export and increased enforcement.
Dr. Alake emphasized that the Nigerian government is establishing the Nigeria Solid Minerals Company as a means to attract investors into the sector.
Earlier, the Deputy Governor of Benue state, Samuel Ode who explained that the state known for vast agriculture is shifting to the development of it Minerals sector to align with the renewed hope agenda of the present administration.
Also, minister of power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu who explained that as global trends shift towards decentralisation, digitisation, and decarbonisation noted that Nigeria is working to ensure local content does not remain a policy slogan but becomes a measurable lever for economic growth, industrial capacity, and energy security.
“With a population exceeding 200 million, Nigeria’s electricity demand continues to rise. Meeting that demand requires more than generation. It requires a clear regulatory framework, sustained investment, and local participation at every value chain level, from metering and manufacturing to system operations and grid management”.
On his part, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, Faruk Yobe Dabo described the summit as a platform for African countries to forge a united front in attracting green investments, developing clean energy infrastructure, and repositioning the continent as a key player in the global energy transition.
About six African Ministers attended the summit with goodwill messages from the Governor of Nasarawa state, Sule Abdullahi, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, Felix Omatsola Ogbe among others.
The theme of this year’s summit is “Harnessing Local Content for Sustainable Development”.
By Georgina Humphrey
