As part of his drive to industrialise Nasarawa State, Governor Abdullahi Sule has revealed that two new lithium mining and processing plants will soon be established in Kokona Local Government Area.
Key Highlights:
- New plants to be located in Agwada and Amba, bringing total lithium facilities in Nasarawa to four.
- USD 200 million lithium factory in Udege completed, awaiting commissioning by President Bola Tinubu.
- Governor attributes success to policy reforms mandating in-state processing of lithium.
- Nasarawa’s lithium policy attracts major investors, including Avarta, Nigeria’s largest local lithium producer.
Speaking on Arise TV, the Governor confirmed that the new projects are part of a broader strategy to strengthen the state’s solid minerals sector. “With the reforms we introduced, we insisted that miners must process lithium within Nasarawa. Through that policy, we secured investor cooperation, which led to the establishment of the first company, Avarta, now producing about 3,000 metric tons daily,” he said.
He noted that the success of Avarta and other early ventures encouraged further private sector investment, culminating in the $200 million Udege factory and two additional plants planned for Kokona.
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Governor Sule described lithium as “the gold of today,” underscoring its rising global demand in energy storage and electric vehicle technology.
Addressing financial matters, he highlighted an increase in federal allocations to states, noting that Nasarawa has adopted prudent fiscal management to ensure tangible results. “Before 2023, allocations hovered around N600 billion monthly nationwide. Today, they exceed N2 trillion. Out of this, 52 percent goes to the Federal Government, 24 percent to states, and 20 percent to local governments,” he explained.
Sule said his administration is channelling the increased revenue into infrastructure, agriculture, and healthcare. He cited the purchase of CT-scan machines, clearance of outstanding staff promotions, and large-scale rice cultivation projects as examples of ongoing development efforts.
“We are into agriculture big time,” the Governor added. “In addition to supporting farmers, we have gone into full-scale rice production. Our goal is to make Nasarawa not just a mining hub but also a state that feeds the nation.”
