Nasarawa is Nigeria’s mining hub with vast lithium deposits – Alake
By Kunle Sanni
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, has described Nasarawa State as a key hub for Nigeria’s mining sector, particularly highlighting its vast lithium deposits.
According to a statement by the minister’s spokesperson, Segun Tomori, on Sunday, Alake made the remark while receiving Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, and Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru, in his office on Friday.
“Lithium, for instance, is quite massive in Nasarawa State. It is like an epicenter of mining in Nigeria, which is why it is important for us to always discuss with the governor and collaborate with him to scale up mining activities in the state,” Alake said.
The minister emphasized that reforms and initiatives undertaken in the last 17 months to boost the mining sector are now yielding results, with global investors showing increasing interest in Nigeria’s mineral resources.
Governor Abdullahi Sule praised Dr. Alake’s leadership in advancing President Bola Tinubu’s mining agenda but acknowledged that security remains a major challenge.
He stressed the need for greater collaboration with the Minister of Defence to ensure that mining operations continue unhindered.
“The purpose of this meeting is to work together and find solutions to security challenges so that mining operations can go on unhindered,” Governor Sule said.
He further revealed that lithium processing factories in Nasarawa are operating at full capacity, with new factories under construction. He called for stronger partnerships with the private sector to expand the mining value chain.
Defence Minister Abubakar Badaru reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to eradicating banditry and criminal activities affecting mining communities, noting that improved security has already enabled the resumption of mining activities in Zamfara.
“The bandits are already on the run. The military will not rest until the country is fully secured. The President has given us a clear directive to end insecurity in all parts of the country by the end of the year,” Badaru stated.
He assured that the National Security Adviser (NSA), the Chief of Defence Staff, and other security agencies are working around the clock to achieve this goal.
