Nasarawa State has officially emerged as Nigeria’s hub for lithium mining and processing, with total investments in the
sector now estimated at $850 million, according to Engr. Prof. Mohammed Sani Haruna, former Executive Vice Chairman of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI).
Prof. Haruna made this known on Saturday while delivering a lecture titled “The Socio-Economic Importance of
Lithium Mining and Processing for Nasarawa State Development” during the 2025 Engineering Week and
Dinner/Award Night organised by the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Lafia Branch.
He attributed this remarkable achievement to the visionary leadership of Governor Abdullahi Sule, describing
the ongoing lithium revolution as “the single biggest leap in the state’s industrial history.”
“Governor Abdullahi Sule is a visionary engineer, an industrialist, and an economist whose foresight has
successfully placed Nasarawa State on the global energy map,” Haruna said.
The professor praised Governor Sule’s policy direction that focuses on value addition, technology domestication, and
private-sector partnerships, which he noted have transformed Nasarawa from a raw mineral exporter to a processing and manufacturing powerhouse.
“Nasarawa is no longer just an exporter of raw minerals. With the establishment of lithium processing plants, the state
now produces refined lithium products, creates jobs, and builds technical capacity for its people,” he emphasized.
Prof. Haruna disclosed that foreign and local investments from major companies including Ganfeng Lithium Company
Limited, Avatar New Energy Materials Co. Ltd, Can Max Technologies Ltd, and Jiu Ling Lithium Mining Company Ltd
have injected more than $850 million into the state’s lithium value chain.
“When you consider Ganfeng Lithium’s $250 million project, Avatar New Energy’s multimillion-dollar facility, Can
Max Technologies’ $200 million plant, and Jiu Ling Lithium’s over $200 million investment, the total capital inflow
exceeds $850 million an unprecedented milestone in Nasarawa’s industrial history,” he said.
According to him, the lithium boom has already begun to transform communities across the state, with improved road
networks, electricity, water supply, and new business opportunities emerging in areas such as Endo and Gudi.
Prof. Haruna also commended Governor Sule’s partnership with NASENI, which led to the establishment of the Solid
Mineral Machinery and Equipment Development Institute in Nasarawa town. He described the collaboration as a
model of how “governance and engineering innovation can work hand in hand to drive sustainable development.”
The professor revealed that as part of the revenue-sharing arrangement, the Nasarawa State Government will receive
$15 million over a 10-year period from Ganfeng Mining Company Limited, while the Endo community is expected to
benefit from $500,000 for local development initiatives.
“Beyond financial gains, this collaboration represents a powerful exchange of knowledge and opportunity.
Over 100 young citizens of Nasarawa are currently in China receiving training in lithium refining,” Haruna disclosed.
He further explained that lithium’s importance extends beyond batteries, highlighting its growing use in
renewable energy technologies, ceramics, pharmaceuticals, and aerospace industries.
“In the next decade, lithium will be as strategic to the global economy as crude oil once was,” he predicted.
Prof. Haruna urged engineers across Nasarawa State to support one of their own to succeed Governor Sule in 2027,
stressing that leadership must continue to be anchored on technical expertise, innovation, and industrial vision.
“It would be disastrous to hand over this aircraft called Nasarawa to a pilot without engineering sense. The next
governor must be someone who understands technology, industry, and value addition another engineer like Engr. Sule,” he cautioned.
He described Governor Sule’s administration as “a government built on knowledge, integrity, prudence, and
patriotic engineering,” emphasizing the need for continuity to sustain the gains of the lithium revolution.
“Nasarawa’s lithium journey is not just about minerals it’s about building a new identity founded on knowledge,
innovation, and engineering excellence,” Haruna concluded.
Representing the National President of NSE, Engr. Rachel Serumum Ugye appreciated the association’s
contributions to national development and commended Governor Sule for his unwavering support of engineering professionals in the state. She also
announced that the upcoming NSE Annual Conference, which attracts over 6,000 professionals nationwide, has
already secured interest from several key government agencies.
Earlier, the Chairman of the NSE Lafia Branch, Engr. Simon Obagu, thanked Governor Sule for creating an enabling
environment that continues to attract major investors to Nasarawa State.
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