Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, made a fresh push for global investment as he addressed industry leaders in London. He presented a fifty million dollar lithium processing plant as part of a wider package designed to attract serious players to Nigeria’s growing minerals sector.
During the Resourcing Tomorrow Annual Exhibition and Conference, the Minister laid out a series of incentives that included smooth profit repatriation and duty free importation of mining equipment. He noted that these measures were part of Nigeria’s renewed drive to open its doors to reputable investors while ensuring that the country benefits more from its mineral wealth.
Alake highlighted the impressive momentum recorded in the last two years, pointing to more than two billion dollars that have flowed into lithium and rare earth projects. According to him, these investments were direct results of the government’s commitment to value addition, championed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which aims to end the era where raw minerals were simply shipped out without being processed locally.
He told participants that several companies had already taken bold steps. He mentioned that Canmax Technologies, Jiuling Lithium, Avatar New Energy Nigeria Limited and Asba Group had jointly invested over one point three billion dollars in lithium processing efforts across different parts of the country. These projects, he stressed, were already rising from the ground with structures, machines and workers in motion.
Just outside Abuja, work is advancing on a fifty million dollar lithium plant that will anchor a chain of mineral processing hubs across Nasarawa, Kogi, Kwara and Ebonyi. The Minister also recalled the recent groundbreaking of a four hundred million dollar rare earth processing facility under the Hasetins Group, describing it as another major lift for the sector.
He added that the government had strengthened security around mining operations through the establishment of the Mining Marshals, a specialised force dedicated to enforcing mining laws and ensuring a safer environment for investors. He explained that this system is being enhanced with satellite technology that will track mining activities across the country.
Alake also introduced the Nigeria Solid Minerals Company as a reliable partner for joint venture projects, noting that the organisation holds valuable assets previously managed by the Nigerian Mining Corporation. He encouraged investors to explore these opportunities, insisting that Nigeria’s minerals sector is ready for a new chapter of growth backed by clear policies and tangible commitments.
