Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has commissioned a lithium processing factory in Endo, Nasarawa State, describing it as a massive triumph for the state’s industrialisation drive.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Governor Sule expressed profound fulfilment, taking a swipe at critics who doubted his administration’s economic vision, saying the landmark project positions Nigeria as a preferred hub for value-added mineral processing in Africa.
He said the state-of-the-art facility, established by Diamond New Energy, represents one of the most significant investments in the continent’s emerging critical minerals sector.
The company is designed with modern processing technology and is engineered to efficiently produce high-quality lithium concentrate while maximising resource recovery and operational efficiency.
“Today, I am fulfilled. Today, I’m proud and happy, for those who are looking for industrialisation and making a mockery of it, come to Endo and see what industrialisation is all about, and it’s right here,” Governor Sule stated.
The event attracted top-tier government officials, reflecting the national importance of the project.
Vice President Kashim Shettima attended the ceremony as the representative of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, alongside the Minister of Solid Minerals Development.
Governor Sule praised the alignment between the project and the federal government’s economic goals, noting that the investment directly supports President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He extended deep gratitude to the presidency, the minister, and early facilitators like Mr. Chang, who first introduced the investors to the state.
Governor Sule made a strong pitch to global investors, highlighting Nasarawa State’s vast, untapped geological wealth and its strategic proximity to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
He urged prospective investors to partner with the Nasarawa Investment and Development Agency (NASIDA), to seamlessly establish their footprints in the state.
With production now officially underway, the Endo facility stands as a blueprint for Nigeria’s shift away from raw mineral exportation toward domestic, high-value mineral beneficiation.
Also speaking, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mr. Dele Alake, characterised the plant’s opening as definitive proof that the current administration’s economic policies are working.
Alake reiterated the ministry’s protective stance on local processing, stating that exporting unprocessed raw materials is becoming a thing of the past.
“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.
On his part, Mr. Yu Chongqiang, Ambassador of JULING & CANMAX, who spoke on behalf of Diamond New Energy, affirmed that the enterprise plans to remain a cornerstone of Africa’s evolving clean energy manufacturing framework.
Chongqiang said the project is creating employment opportunities, supporting local businesses, strengthening logistics networks, and contributing to regional economic development.
Voice of Nigeria reveals that since its operations in the area, the factory has already generated over 1,000 direct jobs 2,000 indirect employment opportunities.
