The Nasarawa State government and the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) have agreed to partner on a lithium policy that would encourage local processing of Lithium mined in the State and discourage exportation of the raw mineral.
This was disclosed when the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule paid a courtesy visit to Dr. Bashir Gwandu, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NASENI at the Agency’s headquarters in Abuja recently..
Nasarawa state is one of the states acknowledged to have potentially the largest deposits of lithium in Nigeria.
In a statement NASENI said the policy is in line with it’s drive to encourage the processing of Strategic Solid Minerals and particularly to ensure that batteries are produced locally for both electric vehicles as well as other energy storage applications.
Recently NASENI has made headlines on its efforts to encourage investors and Nigerian lithium offtakers from around the world to come and partner with it to process various combinations of lithium into batteries locally.
According to the statement, this will include lithium processing from mineral crushing and extraction all the way to final products that can be used both locally and also export to other countries.
Recall that some companies from China have already started visiting NASENI as a response to the call.
Dr. Gwandu also disclosed that NASENI will partner with government agencies such as Rural Electricity Agency (REA), Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) and other investing institutions on this effort.
He expressed gratitude for the Nasarawa state governor coming to collaborate with NASENI in the project noting that many firms have indicated interested in investing in Nasarawa state to process lithium in various quantities…
Ranging from 1,000-3,000 tonnes per day as almost 6,000 tonnes per day are projected to be processed daily in Nasarawa alone.
On his part, Governor Sule said the companies have already indicated interest to process the 6,000 tonnes per day in the state, adding that other states such as Kebbi and Kwara among others might also attract such kind of companies and investments.
He stressed the need for proper coordination, and for all hands to be on deck to ensure that Nigeria takes its rightful place by being recognized as one of the largest lithium producers in the world.
The Governor noted that there was something happening that is akin to Gold Rush which he termed ‘Lithium Rush” going on in the state as lithium price in the world market has jumped from $6,000 per metric tonnes to $78,000 per metric tonnes.
“Nasarawa state has a large quantum of Lithium and hence the need to have a better working synergy with NASENI for purposeful exploration, extraction and processing.” He said.
According to Governor Sule, NASENI is the real deal considering the number of projects that are adding value to the economy of his state, adding that the NASENI Solar in Gora may be used as lithium processing and battery production plant…
Considering its proximity to the raw materials and also the proximity to the NASENI Solid Minerals institute which is also located in Nasarawa town in the same state.
While promising to give the Agency necessary support, he called for more collaborations with the State as it plans a second economic summit that would be tagged “Lithium Rush Summit”.
The EVC stated that during recent visit to Nasarawa he had encouraged the Institute to allow the use of its machines by the local communities and small companies for efficient utilization and capacity building and for economic development.
The governor who stated that he heard that the Agency was planning on building an airport, urged it to utilise the State’s cargo airport for evacuation of its products.
While responding further to Governor Sule’s remark, Dr. Gwandu noted that NASENI does not have any plan to build an airport but is working to develop capacity for both maintenance and eventual aircrafts parts production to service aerospace industry which is likely to be sited in Abuja in view of its location and electricity supply.
He promised that NASENI will actively participate in any conference by the State with regard to lithium adding that NASENI Institutes have industrial machineries and other equipment and workforce that were readily available to lead Nigeria to industrialize and achieve a diversified economy.
He requested the governor to be one of the ambassadors of NASENI in Nigeria Governor’s Forum (NGF) adding that NGF holds the key to the release of NASENI’s held up funds.
Moreover, he said the governors support is key to enabling the Agency carry out its works in the areas of science, technology and innovation (STI), geared towards the industrial development at the States.
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