Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule has sealed a fresh $2 million investment deal with a Chinese firm to strengthen lithium exploration and processing in the state.
The agreement, announced as part of the state government’s efforts to attract foreign investment into the mining sector, is expected to further position Nasarawa as a major destination for critical mineral investments in Nigeria.
Governor Sule said the deal would deepen collaboration between Nasarawa and Chinese investors while creating opportunities for local employment, skills development and technology transfer.
Lithium, a key component in the production of rechargeable batteries used in electric vehicles, mobile devices and renewable energy storage systems, has become increasingly important to the global transition towards cleaner energy.
Nasarawa is among Nigeria’s states with significant deposits of lithium and other solid minerals. The state government has in recent years intensified efforts to attract investors capable of developing its mineral resources locally rather than exporting raw materials.
The latest agreement is therefore expected to contribute to the state’s broader drive to move from the export of unprocessed minerals towards value addition and local processing.
The governor has repeatedly called for responsible exploitation of Nasarawa’s mineral resources, stressing the need for investments that would deliver tangible benefits to communities while supporting the state’s economic development.
The $2 million deal comes amid growing interest from international companies in Nigeria’s lithium industry, as the country seeks to harness its critical mineral resources to diversify its economy and attract foreign direct investment.
The Nasarawa government is expected to provide further details on the investment, including the location of the project, its implementation timeline and the specific areas of lithium development covered by the agreement.
