Federal Government And Nasarawa Govt To Collaborate In Local Manufacture Of Lithium

The Federal Government plans to collaborate with the Nasarawa State government to implement a policy for local lithium processing.

This initiative aims to process Lithium within the state rather than exporting it in its raw form.

During a courtesy visit by the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule, to the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Dr. Bashir Gwandu, the Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of NASENI, revealed these intentions.

Dr. Gwandu highlighted that this approach aligns with NASENI’s commitment to promote the processing of key solid minerals.

The overarching goal is to locally produce batteries for electric vehicles and other energy storage uses.

It’s worth noting that Nasarawa State is recognized as one of Nigeria’s regions with the richest lithium deposits.

Call for investment

Gwandu recalled that NASENI recently made some efforts to encourage investors and Nigerian lithium off-takers from around the world to come and partner with it to process various combinations of lithium into batteries locally.

This will include lithium processing from mineral crushing and extraction all the way to final products that can be used both locally and also exported to other countries.

“Some companies from China have already started visiting NASENI as a response to the call. NASENI will partner with other government agencies such as Rural Electricity Agency (REA), Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA), and other investing institutions on this effort,” he said.

Gwandu said he was pleased that the Nasarawa state governor came to collaborate with NASENI in this regard.

According to him, a number of companies have indicated interest in investing in Nasarawa state to process lithium in various quantities ranging from 1,000-3,000 tonnes per day. So far, almost 6,000 tonnes per day are projected to be processed daily in Nasarawa alone.

Lithium rush in Nasarawa

On his part, Governor Sule said the companies have already indicated interest to process the 6,000 tonnes per day in Nasarawa state, adding that other states such as Kebbi, Kwara, etc., might also attract such kinds of companies and investments, and there is need for proper coordination, and for all hands to be on deck to ensure that Nigeria takes its place by being recognized as one of the largest lithium producers in the world.

The Governor added that there is something happening that is akin to Gold Rush which he termed the ‘Lithium Rush” happening in his state and this is because lithium price in the world market has jumped from $6,000 per metric tonne to $78,000 per metric tonne.

“Nasarawa state has a large quantum of Lithium and hence the need to have a better working synergy with NASENI for purposeful exploration, extraction, and processing,” he said.

Engr. Sule urged NASENI to use its Solar in Gora as a lithium processing and battery production plant considering its proximity to the raw materials and the proximity to NASENI Solid Minerals Institute which is also located in Nasarawa town in the same state.

While promising to give the Agency the necessary support, he called for more collaborations with the State as it plans a second economic summit that would be tagged “Lithium Rush Summit”.