President Tinubu Commissions Africa's Largest Lithium Processing Plant in Nigeria, Marking Major Industrial Breakthrough

President Tinubu Commissions Africa's Largest Lithium Processing Plant in Nigeria, Marking Major Industrial Breakthrough

Lafia, Nasarawa State – July 2, 2026 — Nigeria has achieved a historic milestone in its mining and industrial sector as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu officially commissioned Africa's largest lithium processing plant, a landmark project expected to transform the country's position in the global clean energy supply chain.

The state-of-the-art $250 million lithium processing facility, built by Chinese energy company Diamond New Energy in partnership with the Nasarawa State Government, is located in the Endo Industrial Hub in Nasarawa Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

With an impressive processing capacity of 6,000 metric tonnes of lithium per day—equivalent to approximately 3 million metric tonnes annually—the facility is expected to become one of the most significant lithium processing centers on the African continent.

Nigeria Moves Beyond Raw Mineral Exports

Speaking through Vice President Kashim Shettima, President Tinubu described the project as a turning point for Nigeria's mining industry, emphasizing that the country is shifting from exporting raw minerals to processing them locally and creating greater economic value.

According to the President, the commissioning represents the Federal Government's commitment to industrialization, job creation, technology transfer, and sustainable economic growth.

He noted that local mineral processing will strengthen Nigeria's economy, increase export earnings, attract foreign investment, and position the country as a leading player in the global battery and electric vehicle supply chain.

Chinese Partnership Strengthens Global Lithium Position

The mega-project was developed in collaboration with leading Chinese firms Jiuling and Canmax, whose combined lithium production capacity accounts for more than 20 percent of the global lithium market.

Their involvement brings advanced processing technology and international expertise to Nigeria, significantly boosting the country's competitiveness in the rapidly expanding global lithium industry.

Lithium remains one of the world's most valuable strategic minerals because it is a critical component in the production of rechargeable batteries used in electric vehicles, smartphones, laptops, renewable energy storage systems, and numerous high-tech devices.

Economic Benefits for Nigeria

The commissioning of the facility is expected to deliver significant economic benefits, including:

- Thousands of direct and indirect employment opportunities.

- Increased foreign direct investment (FDI).

- Expansion of Nigeria's mining and manufacturing sectors.

- Higher government revenue from value-added exports.

- Improved technology transfer and industrial capacity.

- Stronger positioning in the global clean energy economy.

Industry experts believe the project could encourage additional investments in Nigeria's solid minerals sector as international demand for lithium continues to surge.

A New Era for Nigeria's Mining Industry

The commissioning of Africa's largest lithium processing plant marks another major milestone in the Tinubu administration's economic diversification agenda.

Rather than exporting raw lithium, Nigeria is now taking decisive steps to process its mineral resources domestically—creating jobs, boosting industrial growth, and increasing the country's share of global mineral value chains.

As global demand for lithium continues to rise due to the rapid adoption of electric vehicles and renewable energy technologies, the new Nasarawa facility places Nigeria in a strong position to become one of Africa's leading suppliers of processed lithium.

The project represents not only a major investment in Nigeria's future but also a significant step toward making the country a strategic hub for clean energy manufacturing and mineral processing in Africa.

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