Nasarawa State government and the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) are set to partner on a lithium processing policy.
This was disclosed when the governor of Nasarawa State, Engineer Abdullahi Sule, paid a working visit to Dr. Bashir Gwandu, Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of NASENI at the agency’s headquarters, Abuja, at the weekend.
As stated in a release by NASENI Director, Information and Protocol, Mr. Olusegun Ayeoyenikan, the policy is aimed at ensuring that lithium mined in the state is processed locally, instead of exporting it raw.
It is in line with NASENI’s drive to encourage the processing of strategic solid minerals. This is particularly to ensure that batteries are produced locally for electric vehicles as well as other energy storage applications.
Nasarawa is one of the states acknowledged to have potentially the largest deposits of lithium in Nigeria.
“Recently, NASENI has made headlines on its efforts to encourage investors and Nigerian lithium off-takers from around the world to partner with it to process various combinations of lithium into batteries locally.
“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.
“Some companies from China have already started visiting NASENI as a response to the call,” it was stated in the release.
Dr. Gwandu disclosed that NASENI will partner with other government agencies, such as Rural Electricity Agency (REA), Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) and other investing institutions, on this effort.
He said he was pleased that the Nasarawa State governor is seeking for collaboration with NASENI in this regard.
“A number of companies have indicated interested in investing in Nasarawa State to process lithium in various quantities ranging from 1,000-3,000 tonnes per day.
“So far, almost 6,000 tonnes per day are projected to be processed daily in Nasarawa alone,” he stated.
Speaking, Governor Sule said the companies have already indicated interest to process the 6,000 tonnes per day in Nasarawa State.
He added that other states including Kebbi and Kwara, among others, might also attract such kind of companies and investments.
He said there is need for proper coordination, and for all hands to be on deck to ensure that Nigeria takes its place by being recognised as one of the largest lithium producers in the world.
The governor added that there is something that is akin to Gold Rush which he termed ‘Lithium Rush” happening in his state.
He said this is because 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.
Governor Sule said NASENI is dear him, considering the number of projects that are adding value to the economy of his state.
He said the NASENI Solar in Gora Town may be used as lithium processing and battery production plant considering its proximity to raw materials.
He said it is also close to the NASENI Solid Minerals Institute which is also located in Nasarawa Town in the same state.
The governor said he heard that the agency was planning on building an airport, urging it to utilise the state’s cargo airport for evacuation of its products.
The governor promised to give all necessary support to the agency. He called for more collaborations with the state ahead its planned second economic summit that would be tagged “Lithium Rush Summit”.
Dr Gwandu said, during a 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 utilisation, capacity-building and for economic development.
He however disclosed that NASENI does not have any plan to build an airport but it is working on establishing an MRO/ARO.
This, he said, is “part of our efforts to develop capacity for both maintenance and eventual aircrafts parts production to service aerospace industry.
He added that the proposed MRO/ARO is likely to be sited in Abuja in view of its location and electricity supply.
He promised that the agency will actively participate in any conference by Nasarawa State with regard to lithium.
He said NASENI Institutes have industrial machineries and other equipment and workforce that were readily available to lead to industrialisation and achieve a diversified economy.
The NASENI boss however said doing this would require huge funds outlay to fulfil the agency’s mandate.
He requested the governor to be one of the ambassadors of NASENI in Nigerian Governors’ 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 industrial development at all the states.
