Abdullahi Sule: Nigeria will benefit from lithium deposit in Nasarawa — it’s like crude oil

Abdullahi Sule, governor of Nasarawa state, says Nigeria will benefit greatly from the lithium deposit in the state if politics is not introduced into the mining business.

Sule spoke on Sunday during an interview with Channels Television.

Lithium is a highly sought-after mineral resource due to its potentials in the creation of electric vehicles and energy storage equipment.

Nasarawa is said to have a large deposit of lithium, especially in Endo LGA of the state.

Recently, investors have been showing interest in the lithium deposit in the state for the production of electric vehicles.

Speaking during the interview, Sule said Nigeria must take advantage of the lithium deposit in the state while seeing it as a business matter.

The Nasarawa governor said the Nigeria must take play a leading role in lithium processing and creation of electric vehicle batteries in West Africa.

“With the energy of Dele Alake and the vision of the president, we cannot afford to make a mistake,” Sule said.

‘This is the time to take advantage of it (lithium) and play that role and be the leader in Africa, definitely in West Africa.

“Let’s take politics out of it. Investors are going to take their companies to where they are going to make the most market and profit.

“Nasarawa is next to Abuja. One of the biggest buyers of the electric vehicles will be the government. Where else can you have a better company? Maybe Nasarawa.

“I’m taking politics out of it. It is purely business. The moment will take politics out of it and allow investors make decisions correctly, then, I think Nigeria is in for it.

“This is another crude oil that is coming. That is how God has blessed Nigeria in particular and this is the way to go.”

On May 10, Vice-President Kashim Shettima inaugurated a 4,000 tones per day lithium processing plant in Nasarawa state.

The plant was built by Avatar New Energy Materials Co. Ltd, a Chinese company. Other lithium processing plants in Nasarawa are to be inaugurated before the end of 2025.