Nigeria Aims to Produce 4,000 Metric Tonnes of Lithium Daily, Says Vice President Shettima
Nigeria is gearing up to become a major player in the global lithium market, with plans underway to produce a staggering 4,000 metric tonnes of lithium daily. Vice President Kashim Shettima made this announcement on Monday during discussions aimed at revitalizing Nigeria’s mining industry.
Speaking at the opening of a two-day forum in Abuja, Vice President Shettima revealed that President Bola Tinubu is poised to inaugurate the country’s largest lithium factory. This state-of-the-art facility is capable of processing up to 4,000 metric tonnes of lithium per day, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s quest for economic diversification and industrial growth.
Highlighting recent developments in the mining sector, Shettima noted that the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, spearheaded the inauguration of a Lithium factory in Nasarawa state in 2023. This factory, with plans to produce 18,000 metric tonnes of lithium daily, symbolizes Nigeria’s commitment to harnessing its vast mineral resources for economic prosperity.
Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa state, representing Vice President Shettima at the roundtable discussion, emphasized the strategic importance of the lithium industry in driving Nigeria’s economic transformation. With abundant lithium deposits and ambitious production targets, Nigeria aims to position itself as a key player in the global lithium market, contributing to both national development and international trade.
As the discussions progress, stakeholders in the mining sector are optimistic about the prospects of Nigeria’s lithium industry. The government’s commitment to supporting investment in mining infrastructure and promoting sustainable practices bodes well for the sector’s growth and competitiveness on the global stage.
With plans to ramp up lithium production to unprecedented levels, Nigeria is poised to capitalize on the increasing demand for lithium-ion batteries, driven by the growth of electric vehicles and renewable energy technologies worldwide. As the nation moves forward with its mining agenda, stakeholders are hopeful that Nigeria’s lithium industry will emerge as a driving force for economic prosperity and technological innovation.
