The Nasarawa State government and the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) are working on plans to produce lithium processing policy for local processing of Lithium mined in the state instead of exporting it raw.

This was part of the outcome of the visit of the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule, to the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NASENI, Dr. Bashir Gwandu, at the Agency’s headquarters in Abuja at the weekend.

Nasarawa state is one of the states acknowledged to have the largest deposits of lithium in Nigeria.

Recently, NASENI has made headlines because of its efforts to encourage investors and Nigerian lithium offtakers from around the world to partner with the agency in the area of lithium processing; from mineral crushing and extraction, to the finished products, including batteries, for use locally and for export. Some companies from China have already started visiting NASENI in response to the call.

Governor Sule, in his speech, disclosed that Nasarawa State was already experiencing what he described as “Lithium Rush” and attributed the development to the astronomical rise in the price of lithium in the global market, up from $6,000 per metric tonne to $78,000 per metric tonne.

Sule that said many companies have already indicated interest to process 6,000 tonnes of lithium per day in the state and called for proper coordination, and for all hands to be on deck, to ensure that Nigeria takes its place by being recognized as one of the largest lithium producers in the world.

“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,” the Governor said.

According to the Governor, there was need for Nasarawa and NASENI to collaborate, considering the number of the agency’s projects that were adding value to the economy of his state.

He requested that NASENI’s solar in Gora be used as lithium processing and battery production plant, considering its proximity to the location of the raw materials and also the proximity to the agency’s Solid Minerals Institute, both located in Nasarawa town.

While promising to give the agency every necessary support, he called for more collaboration with the State which is planning a second Economic Summit tagged “Lithium Rush Summit.”

On his part, Gwandu said developing the processing policy was in line with NASENI’s drive to encourage the processing of Strategic Solid Minerals, particularly to ensure that batteries were produced locally for both electric vehicles, as well as other energy storage applications.

Dr. Gwandu assured that NASENI would partner other government agencies such as Rural Electricity Agency (REA), Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) and other investing institutions in this regard.

He said he was pleased that the Nasarawa state Governor was coming to collaborate with NASENI in the local processing of lithium, of which a number of companies have already indicated interest to invest in the state where about 6,000 tonnes of lithium have been projected to be processed per day.

The EVC stated that during a recent visit to Nasarawa, he had encouraged the agency’s Solid Mineral Institute to allow local communities and small companies to use of its machines to make for efficient utilization of the equipment and for capacity building of the locale for economic development.

Responding to the Governor’s remarks, Dr Gwandu said promised that NASENI would actively participate in any conference by the State on lithium.

Moreover, he said the Governor’s support was key to enabling the Agency carry out its mandate in the areas of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI), geared towards assisting the states to develop industrially.

According to him, NASENI institutes have industrial machineries and other equipment and personnel that were readily available to lead Nigeria to industrialize and achieve a diversified economy.

A statement by NASENI’s Director, Information and Protocol, Mr. Olusegun Ayeoyenikan, added that Dr. Gwandu requested the Governor to be one of the ambassadors of institute in the Nigeria Governors Forum which holds the key to releasing NASENI’s held up funds.

•PHOTO: L-R; Dr. Mrs. Olayinka Komolafe, Secretary to the Agency, NASENI; Dr. Bashir Gwandu, Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI); Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule, Executive Governor of Nasarawa State and Mrs. Nonyem Onyechi, Coordinating Director, Planning and Business Development, NASENI when the governor paid a working visit to the Agency’s headquarters, Abuja on Friday, August 18, 2023.