Nigeria's drive to build greater value from its mineral wealth gathered fresh momentum with the inauguration of what the Federal Government describes as West Africa's largest lithium processing plant in Endo, Nasarawa Local Government Area.
Owned by Diamond New Energy, the facility can process 6,000 metric tonnes of lithium daily, giving it an annual capacity of three million metric tonnes. The company has already created more than 1,000 direct jobs and over 2,000 indirect jobs since beginning operations.
Representing the President at the inauguration, Vice President Kashim Shettima said natural resources alone do not create prosperous nations. Lasting growth, he argued, comes from transforming mineral wealth into industries that generate jobs, develop skills and expand production.
He said Nigeria's abundant deposits of lithium, gold, tin, iron ore, bitumen, coal and rare earth elements must drive manufacturing rather than remain raw exports. Describing lithium as a strategic mineral in battery technology, electric vehicles and renewable energy storage, he said the new plant demonstrates growing confidence in Nigeria, Nasarawa State and the government's industrial reforms.
Shettima also praised Governor Abdullahi Sule for creating an investment-friendly environment, noting that while nature provides mineral resources, leadership attracts investment. He added that peace and development remain inseparable.
Governor Sule thanked the company's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for investing in Nasarawa and encouraged more investors to explore the state's commercially viable deposits of lead, zinc, lithium, copper, gemstones, gold, marble and iron ore. He also highlighted the state's fertile agricultural land and its proximity to the Federal Capital Territory as major economic advantages.
Addressing residents of Endo, the governor acknowledged the challenges encountered during the project's development, saying the community would ultimately be its greatest beneficiary.
Minister of Solid Minerals Development Dele Alake described the inauguration as proof that Nigeria's local value-addition policy is delivering results. He reaffirmed that the Federal Government will no longer permit the export of raw minerals without domestic processing, a policy aimed at creating jobs, building technical expertise and expanding industrial capacity.
Alake said the policy is already influencing mining strategies across Africa and outlined Nigeria's ambition to manufacture lithium batteries, vehicles, mobile phones, solar panels, solar-powered turbines and other lithium-based products locally.
"Our goal is to begin to produce lithium batteries, vehicles, phones, solar panels, solar-powered turbines, and every gadget that uses lithium as a base requirement for its performance," he said.
"We want to produce everything in Nigeria. Diamond Energy has started, Nasarawa State has started, Nigeria remains on the go."
Speaking on behalf of Diamond New Energy, Ambassador Yu Chongqiang of JULING and CANMAX said the company believes Nigeria can become a leader in the global minerals industry through responsible development, value addition and industrial innovation.
He said the company's investments extend beyond mining to advanced processing technology, infrastructure, workforce development, environmental stewardship and partnerships with government and host communities. He added that its processing facilities in Ogun State and the continued expansion of its flagship lithium base in Nasarawa form part of a larger industrial platform designed to strengthen local manufacturing, reinforce supply chains and support Africa's clean energy future.
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