Former Government Vice Chairman of the Nationwide Company for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, NASENI, Engr. Prof. Mohammed Sani Haruna, on Saturday disclosed that Nasarawa State has emerged as Nigeria’s hub for lithium mining and processing.
In response to him, present investments in the sector are valued at $850 million.
Delivering a lecture titled “The Socio-Financial Significance of Lithium Mining and Processing for Nasarawa State Growth” on the 2025 Engineering Week and Dinner/Award Evening of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, NSE, Lafia Department, Prof. Haruna mentioned the feat was achieved by way of the visionary management of Governor Abdullahi Sule.
He described the state’s lithium revolution as “the only greatest leap in the state’s industrial historical past,” and praised Governor Sule as “a visionary engineer, industrialist and economist whose foresight has positioned Nasarawa on the worldwide vitality map.”
Haruna famous that the governor’s emphasis on worth addition, know-how domestication and private-sector partnerships has repositioned Nasarawa as Nigeria’s mannequin for resource-based industrialisation.
“Nasarawa is now not a uncooked mineral exporter. With the institution of lithium processing vegetation, the state now exports refined merchandise and creates jobs, wealth and technical capability for its individuals,” he mentioned.
He added that investments by companies equivalent to Ganfeng Lithium Firm Restricted, Avatar New Vitality Supplies Co. Ltd, Can Max Applied sciences Ltd, and Jiu Ling Lithium Mining Firm Ltd, amounting to greater than $850 million, would make the state a continental hub for lithium processing.
“While you sum up the commitments from Ganfeng Lithium Firm Restricted with about $250 million, Avatar New Vitality Supplies’ multimillion-dollar undertaking, Can Max Applied sciences’ deliberate $200 million plant, and Jiu Ling Lithium Mining’s over $200 million funding, you’re looking at greater than $850 million in personal capital already flowing into Nasarawa’s lithium sector,” Prof. Haruna mentioned.
“That’s unprecedented in the historical past of this state’s industrial improvement,” he added.
In response to him, the lithium growth is already remodeling communities. “The presence of those factories has opened new roads, improved electrical energy and water provide, and spurred small enterprise actions in communities like Endo and Gudi,” he mentioned.
Haruna additionally counseled Governor Sule’s collaboration with NASENI, which established the Strong Mineral Equipment and Gear Growth Institute, in Nasarawa city to help native know-how. “This sort of synergy between governance and engineering innovation is the longer term,” he famous.
He revealed that the Nasarawa State Authorities is about to obtain $15 million over ten years from Ganfeng Mining Firm Restricted as a part of its revenue-sharing association, whereas the Endo group will profit from $500,000 in native improvement funds.
“Past the cash, this partnership is a switch of information and alternative,” Haruna mentioned, including that over 100 Nasarawa residents are presently present process lithium refining coaching in China.
The professor defined that lithium’s makes use of prolong far past batteries, with functions in renewable vitality, ceramics, prescribed drugs, and aerospace applied sciences. “Within the subsequent decade, lithium might be as strategic as crude oil as soon as was,” he mentioned.
Haruna urged engineers in Nasarawa State to rally behind one in all their very own to succeed Governor Sule in 2027, warning that handing over management to somebody with out technical understanding might reverse the state’s progress.
“It could be a misfortune and suicidal handy over this plane known as Nasarawa to a pilot with out engineering sense. The subsequent governor have to be somebody who understands know-how, business, and worth addition, one other engineer like Engr. Sule,” Haruna mentioned.
He described Sule’s administration as “a product of information, integrity, prudence and patriotic engineering,” warning that continuity was important to maintain the beneficial properties of the lithium revolution.
“I name on all members of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, the scientific group, and lovers of progress to rise in defence of this legacy. We should guard it jealously and be certain that Nasarawa stays in protected, competent arms,” he mentioned.
In response to him, Nasarawa’s lithium improvement “isn’t just about minerals, it’s a couple of new id constructed on data, innovation and engineering excellence.”
Engr. Rachel Serumum Ugye, who represented the Nationwide President of NSE, Engr. Margaret Aina Oguntola, expressed gratitude for the organisation’s function in selling skilled excellence in the nation. She thanked Governor Sule for his help and collaboration with the NSE in Nasarawa State.
She added that the upcoming annual convention of NSE, which attracts over 6,000 professionals nationwide, has already secured curiosity from a number of authorities businesses.
Earlier, the Chairman of NSE Lafia Department, Engr. Simon Obagu, appreciated Governor Sule for offering a conducive setting that continues to draw buyers to the state.
