Nigeria's President Inaugurates West Africa's Largest Lithium Processing Plant with Daily Capacity of 6,000 Tons

en.Wedoany.com Reported - Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu on Thursday inaugurated a lithium processing plant in the Endo community of Nasarawa State. The facility, invested in by Diamond New Energy, has a daily processing capacity of 6,000 metric tons and an annual production capacity of 3 million metric tons. The plant has created over 1,000 direct jobs and more than 2,000 indirect jobs, and is described by the federal government as the largest lithium processing facility in West Africa.

Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, noted that the solid minerals sector is central to Nigeria's economic diversification, emphasizing that natural resources alone cannot guarantee prosperity without value addition, technology, institutional development, and industrialization. The inauguration of the plant reflects the government's commitment to shifting from raw mineral exports to local processing, job creation, skills enhancement, and strengthening local industries. Tinubu stated that lithium is a critical mineral for batteries, electric vehicles, and renewable energy storage, and that this plant marks a more competitive step for Nigeria in the global energy transition.

The President also commended Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule for his efforts in attracting mining investments and fostering an environment for industrial development. Sule thanked Diamond New Energy for investing locally and urged other investors to focus on Nasarawa State's abundant minerals, including lithium, lead, zinc, copper, gold, iron ore, marble, and gemstones, as well as its geographical proximity to the Federal Capital Territory.

Minister of Solid Minerals Development Dele Alake stated that the project validates the federal government's local value addition policy, reiterating that Nigeria will no longer allow the export of unprocessed raw minerals. This policy aims to create jobs, develop local technical capabilities, and enable Nigeria to manufacture lithium-based products, including batteries, electric vehicles, mobile phones, and solar components.

Ambassador Yu Chongqiang, speaking on behalf of Diamond New Energy, said the company is investing in advanced processing technologies, infrastructure, workforce development, and environmental sustainability, committed to building a comprehensive industrial platform to strengthen Nigeria's manufacturing base and support Africa's clean energy transition.