President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commissioned Diamond New Energy Projects in Nasarawa State, describing the lithium processing plant as a major milestone in Nigeria’s push to transform its solid minerals sector into a driver of industrial growth and economic diversification.
The President, who was represented by Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima at the event, said the project aligns with his administration’s determination to move Nigeria beyond the export of raw minerals to local processing, job creation and increased participation in the global clean energy value chain.
Tinubu said Nigeria’s mineral wealth must be harnessed in a way that directly benefits the economy and improves the lives of citizens. He noted that the country can no longer afford to remain a supplier of raw materials while other nations derive greater value from processing and manufacturing.
According to him, the commissioning of the lithium processing plant is a clear statement that Nigeria is ready to take advantage of the opportunities in the global energy transition, particularly as demand continues to rise for minerals used in battery production, electric vehicles and renewable energy storage.
He said lithium has become one of the most important minerals in the modern economy, adding that Nigeria’s ability to process it locally would strengthen the country’s industrial base, attract investment and create opportunities for skilled and unskilled workers.
The President assured investors that his administration would continue to provide the enabling environment needed for responsible mining, local processing and long term investment in the solid minerals sector. He said the Federal Government remained committed to policies that promote value addition, environmental responsibility and stronger partnerships between investors and host communities.
Tinubu also stressed that the mining sector must be developed in a manner that protects communities, creates jobs and supports national development. He said projects such as Diamond New Energy Projects show what is possible when private investment is matched with government reforms and local cooperation.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, said the commissioning of the plant reflects the Federal Government’s broader policy direction for the mining industry. He said the administration is determined to ensure that companies operating in the sector contribute to local value addition rather than focusing solely on extraction.
Alake said the government would continue to encourage investments that expand processing capacity, improve local expertise and increase Nigeria’s earnings from its mineral resources.
Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, commended the Federal Government and the investors for their commitment to the project. He described Nasarawa as one of Nigeria’s most attractive destinations for solid minerals investment, noting that the state is richly endowed with lithium and other commercially viable minerals.
Sule said the state government would continue to support responsible investors whose activities contribute to economic growth, employment and community development.
Officials of Diamond New Energy Projects said the company is committed to building a sustainable mining and processing operation that supports Nigeria’s industrial ambitions. They said the project would contribute to employment, technology transfer, infrastructure development and improved economic activity in the host communities.
The commissioning of the plant is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s position in the emerging global lithium market and deepen the country’s participation in the clean energy supply chain.
It also comes at a time when the Federal Government is intensifying efforts to reduce dependence on crude oil revenue by developing other sectors of the economy, with solid minerals identified as one of the key areas for growth, investment and industrial expansion.
