President Bola Tinubu has inaugurated West Africa’s largest lithium processing plant in Nasarawa state with a daily processing capacity of 6000 metric tonnes and 3 million tonnes annual processing capacity.
Tinubu inaugurated the plant in Endo community of Nasarawa local government area on Thursday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the lithium company has provided over 1,000 direct jobs and over 2,000 indirect jobs since it began operation in the area.
Tinubu represented by Vice President Kassim Shettima said solid minerals are the enduring backbone of every economy, because no technology rises without them hence the top priority given to the sector by his administration.
He however warned that nations do not become great because nature has been generous to them but nations rise to global prominence through discipline, enterprise, technology, skills, and industrial organization.
“Across the world, countries blessed with minerals, oil, gas, fertile lands, and strategic locations remain trapped in poverty because they failed to convert these resources into productive capacity, while nations with far fewer advantages have risen to global prominence through discipline, enterprise, technology, skills, and industrial organization.
”Natural resources may be a blessing, but only vision can turn them into wealth. Only institutions can protect that wealth. Only industry can multiply it, and only people can give it meaning,” he said.
He added that the national conversation has been dominated by what lies beneath Nigeria’s soil with focus on gold, lithium, tin, iron ore, bitumen, coal, and rare earth elements with justifiable pride.
“But pride does not build factories. Statistics does not create jobs, and mineral maps do not transform the lives of young Nigerians. What changes a nation is a deliberate movement from extraction to processing, from potential to production, from raw materials to value-added goods, and from isolated investments to integrated industrial ecosystems.
”That is why this occasion matters. The commissioning of Diamond New Energy projects here in Nasarawa State represents confidence in Nigeria, in Nasarawa State, and in the revolutionary reforms set in place by the present administration.
“It represents confidence that Nigeria is ready to participate in the global minerals economy on terms that create jobs, build skills, strengthen local enterprises, and expand our productive base,” he said.
According to the president, lithium has become one of the defining minerals of the energy transition, central to battery technology, electric mobility, and renewable energy storage, adding that the inauguration of the lithium plant is part of a larger national reawakening and must be understood beyond ceremony.
“A factory is never just a building; it is where policy becomes employment, where investment becomes production, and where hope begins to acquire structure. Every factory that opens on Nigerian soil is an act of faith in our people, our institutions, and the possibilities of this Republic,” he said.
The president then praised the resolve and vision of Governor Abdullahi Sule to make Nasarawa a template for the promise of extractive industry development.
“Instead of waiting for opportunities to announce themselves, he has pursued them, he has cultivated them, he has built an environment in which investors can engage with confidence.
“Minerals may be deposited by nature, but investment is drawn by leadership, and he has shown that leadership in the past seven years of his stewardship in Nasarawa State. There can never be peace without development, and there can never be development without peace. Nasarawa State is a kaleidoscope of colors,” he said.
In his remarks Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa state appreciated all those who worked tireless to see to the actualization of the new lithium plant in Endo community of Nasarawa local government area.
”I also want to use the opportunity to thank the Chairman and actually CEO of this company for actually believing in us and coming to Nasarawa State and believing that Nasarawa State is the destination for your investment. I say thank you, and thank you, and thank you, sir,” he said.
He called on other prospective investors in the mining sector to come and invest in the state, assuring them of a safe business haven and a state blessed with abundant natural resources such as lead, zinc, lithium, copper, gemstones, gold, marble, iron ore among others.
“They are found in commercial quantities in Nasarawa state. We are also blessed with fertile land for agriculture production. Our proximity to the Federal Capital Territory remains one of the major competition advantages for housing and industries.
“I want to appreciate all those who put in an effort to make this happen. The people of Endo I am proud of you for your patience. We must have had our fights earlier with me but all I was fighting for was to see today and I am here today with you and the biggest beneficiaries of this effort are you people,” he said.
Mr Dele Alake, Minister of Solid Minerals in his speech said the inauguration of the lithium processing plant is a testament of the efficacy of the policies of the President Tinubu led administration.
“What we are doing here today is an eloquent testimony to the prophetic statement of Mr. President on the one hand, and to our own in the Ministry of Solid Minerals with the cooperation of all and sundry, to our own commitment to that focal point of developing and transforming the solid minerals of Nigeria,” he said.
He assured that with the policies in place on local value addition exportation of raw materials will no longer be permitted, Esther extraction and processing will be done in the country to create jobs, open opportunities and train youths in the sector.
“Local value addition became a pilot of our policies in the Solid Minerals Ministry, and I’m very happy and grateful to the operators in the sector for accepting this policy, for imbibing it, and for implementing it, just like the Diamond Energy Group has done.
”And now to show the efficacy of that policy, other African countries have latched onto that policy. Virtually every other African country that mining is taking place is now issuing directives that no more exportation of raw minerals,” he said.
Alake who expressed faith in the partnership with Diamond Energy Group urged other potential partners to take a cue from the company by showing a concrete plan of local processing.
“Our goal is to begin to produce lithium batteries, the vehicles, the phones, the solar panels, the solar-powered turbines, and every gadget that uses lithium as a base requirement for its performance.
“We want to produce everything in Nigeria. Diamond Energy has started, Nasarawa State has started, Nigeria remains on the go,” he said.
In his speech, Mr Yu Chongqiang, Chairman of Diamond New Energy Company Limited explained that the company was founded on a simple yet ambitious belief which is Nigeria should not merely participate in the global minerals market—it should lead it through responsible development, value addition, and industrial innovation.
“Since commencing operations, our focus has extended well beyond mining. We have invested in advanced processing technologies, modern infrastructure, workforce development, environmental stewardship, and meaningful partnerships with governments and host communities.
“These investments reflect confidence in Nigeria’s potential and our commitment to creating value. The completion of our processing facilities in Ogun state and the continued expansion of our flagship lithium processing base in Nasarawa State represent important milestones in a much larger vision,” he said.
He added that the company is building an integrated industrial platform capable of supporting local manufacturing, strengthening supply chains, and contributing to Africa’s clean energy future.
“As we look ahead, our ambition remains clear. We will continue to expand responsibly, embrace innovation, invest in people, and support Nigeria’s journey toward becoming a globally competitive hub for critical minerals and advanced industrial development,” he said. (NAN).
