President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially inaugurated what the Federal Government describes as West Africa’s largest lithium processing facility, located in Nasarawa State. The plant, situated in the Endo community of Nasarawa Local Government Area, boasts a daily processing capacity of 6,000 metric tonnes and an annual output of three million metric tonnes.
Since commencing operations, the company has created over 1,000 direct jobs and more than 2,000 indirect employment opportunities, underscoring its role in driving industrial growth and economic development in the region.
Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Tinubu said solid minerals remain the enduring backbone of every economy because no technology can thrive without them, hence the priority his administration has accorded the sector.
He, however, warned that nations do not become great simply because nature has been generous to them but because they convert their natural resources into economic prosperity through discipline, enterprise, technology, skills and industrial organisation.
“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 organisation.
“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 national discourse had been dominated by what lies beneath Nigeria’s soil, with attention focused on gold, lithium, tin, iron ore, bitumen, coal and rare earth elements.
“But pride does not build factories. Statistics do 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 global energy transition, central to battery technology, electric mobility and renewable energy storage.
He said the inauguration of the plant should be viewed as part of a broader national industrial drive rather than merely a ceremonial event.
“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 praised Governor Abdullahi Sule for positioning Nasarawa as a model for 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 commended all those who contributed to the establishment of the lithium processing plant in Endo community.
“I also want to use the opportunity to thank the Chairman and, indeed, the CEO of this company for believing in us, 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 urged other prospective investors in the mining sector to invest in the state, assuring them of a conducive business environment and abundant deposits of lead, zinc, lithium, copper, gemstones, gold, marble and iron ore.
“They are found in commercial quantities in Nasarawa State. We are also blessed with fertile land for agricultural production. Our proximity to the Federal Capital Territory remains one of the major competitive 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. The biggest beneficiaries of this effort are you people,” he said.
Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, said the inauguration of the lithium processing plant demonstrated the effectiveness of the Tinubu administration’s policies on local value addition.
“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 commitment in the Ministry of Solid Minerals, with the cooperation of all and sundry, to developing and transforming Nigeria’s solid minerals sector,” he said.
He said the Federal Government would no longer permit the export of raw minerals without local processing, as part of efforts to create jobs, expand opportunities and develop local expertise.
“Local value addition became a pillar of our policies in the Ministry of Solid Minerals, and I’m very happy and grateful to the operators in the sector for accepting this policy, imbibing it and 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 it. Virtually every other African country where mining is taking place is now issuing directives against the export of raw minerals,” he said.
Alake expressed confidence in the partnership with Diamond Energy Group and urged other investors to emulate the company’s commitment to local processing.
“Our goal is to begin to produce lithium batteries, vehicles, phones, solar panels, 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.
Earlier, the Ambassador of JULING and CANMAX, Yu Chongqiang, speaking on behalf of Diamond New Energy, said the company was founded on the belief that Nigeria should not merely participate in the global minerals market but 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 was building an integrated industrial platform capable of supporting local manufacturing, strengthening supply chains and contributing to Africa’s clean energy future.
