Nasarawa State has established itself as Nigeria”s center for lithium mining and processing, with investments totaling $850 million, according to former executive vice chairman of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Engr Mohammed Sani Haruna. This announcement was made during his lecture titled “The Socio-Economic Importance of Lithium Mining and Processing for Nasarawa State Development,” delivered at the 2025 Engineering Week and Dinner/Award Night organized by the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Lafia Branch.
Haruna credited the state”s progress to the visionary leadership of Governor Abdullahi Sule, stating that the lithium initiative marks “the single biggest leap in the state”s industrial history.” He praised Governor Sule”s role as “a visionary engineer, industrialist, and economist” whose foresight has positioned Nasarawa on the global energy stage.
According to Haruna, the governor”s emphasis on value addition, local technology development, and partnerships with the private sector has transformed the state into a model for resource-based industrialization in Nigeria. “Nasarawa is no longer merely a raw mineral exporter. With the establishment of lithium processing facilities, refined products are now being exported, generating jobs, wealth, and enhancing technical expertise for local communities,” he noted.
Significant investments from companies such as Ganfeng Lithium Company Limited, Avatar New Energy Materials Co. Ltd, Can Max Technologies Ltd, and Jiu Ling Lithium Mining Company Ltd have contributed to this total. Haruna detailed that these commitments include approximately $250 million from Ganfeng, various multimillion-dollar initiatives from Avatar, a planned $200 million plant by Can Max Technologies, and over $200 million from Jiu Ling, cumulatively exceeding $850 million in private sector investments.
“This level of investment is unprecedented in the industrial history of this state,” Haruna remarked, emphasizing the transformative impact of the lithium boom on local communities. He stated, “The presence of these factories has led to the construction of new roads, improvements in electricity and water supply, and has stimulated small business activities in areas such as Endo and Gudi.”
Haruna commended Governor Sule”s collaboration with NASENI, which resulted in the establishment of the Solid Mineral Machinery and Equipment Development Institute (SOMMEDI) in Nasarawa town, aimed at promoting local technological advancements. “This type of synergy between governance and engineering innovation is essential for the future,” he added.
Additionally, he disclosed that the Nasarawa State Government will receive $15 million over a decade from Ganfeng Mining Company Limited as part of a revenue-sharing agreement, while the Endo community is set to gain $500,000 in local development funds. “This partnership transcends financial contributions; it encompasses knowledge transfer and opportunities,” Haruna stated, highlighting that over 100 residents of Nasarawa are currently undergoing training in lithium refining in China.
He elaborated on the diverse applications of lithium, which extend well beyond battery production, including growing uses in renewable energy, ceramics, pharmaceuticals, and aerospace technologies. “In the coming decade, lithium will hold as much strategic significance as crude oil once did,” he predicted.
Haruna urged engineers in Nasarawa to support a successor to Governor Sule in the 2027 elections, cautioning that appointing an individual lacking technical knowledge could jeopardize the advancements achieved. “It would be detrimental to entrust the future of Nasarawa to someone without an engineering background. The next governor must understand technology, industry, and value addition, ideally another engineer like Engr. Sule,” he asserted.
He characterized Sule”s administration as one of “knowledge, integrity, prudence, and patriotic engineering” and emphasized that maintaining continuity is vital for sustaining the benefits of the lithium revolution. “I encourage all members of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, the scientific community, and advocates for progress to collectively safeguard this legacy. We must protect it diligently to ensure that Nasarawa remains under capable management,” he concluded.
Haruna articulated that Nasarawa”s lithium development is not merely an extraction of minerals; it signifies the emergence of a new identity rooted in knowledge, innovation, and engineering excellence.
