Foreign Investors Flock to Nasarawa State Amid Lithium Discoveries
By Patience Ikpeme
In a remarkable surge of international interest, foreign investors from Russia, Japan, and China are turning their attention to Nasarawa State, drawn by the booming discoveries of lithium, a pivotal component for modern technologies.
Governor Abdullahi Sule disclosed this during the unveiling of the Nasarawa Investment Summit #NIS2024, themed “The Industrial Renaissance”.
Governor Sule emphasized the profound impact of these developments, likening the rush for lithium to historical gold rushes. “All of a sudden, now, we have more and more discoveries, and that’s why there’s a lithium rush, which is similar to the gold rush,” he remarked. He further highlighted the influx of foreign delegations eager to explore opportunities within the state.
“We have had lots of meetings here with so many potential foreign partners that are coming to look for lithium in Nasarawa State,” Governor Sule explained. “We had a Russian delegation. This morning, I met with a Japanese ambassador and some other people. Of course, I met with about three different investors from China, and everybody is pushing forward towards this lithium processing in the state.”
The governor underscored Nasarawa State’s strategic focus on industrialization, attributing the surge in interest not only to the abundance of lithium but also to its exceptional quality. “The purity of the lithium that we have in the state is the major attraction that is going into that direction,” he elaborated.
Governor Sule revealed that the state’s policies have been instrumental in driving this investment boom. “We came up with a policy in the state that anybody who is going to be mining in Nassarawa state must also carry out some processing activity in Nassarawa state,” he said.
The governor detailed the direct impact on employment, stating, “Before they started the processing, they have 1,000 Nasarawa state indigenes who are working actually in there.” He emphasized the strategic importance of industrialization, anticipating substantial economic growth and employment opportunities.
Regarding future prospects, Governor Sule expressed optimism about Nasarawa’s burgeoning potential beyond lithium, hinting at ongoing petroleum exploration efforts. “We are hoping that a year after another exploration or at least an appraisal work will be drilled, and we’ll be looking forward to true industrialization in the area of oil and gas,” he articulated.
The Nasarawa Investment Summit #NIS2024, according to Governor Sule, reflects the state’s ambition to catalyze an era of industrial growth and prosperity. He expressed appreciation for national policies driving economic development and infrastructure improvements across Nigeria, echoing the sentiment that these policies have contributed to enhanced revenue and development within Nasarawa State.
With the spotlight firmly fixed on Nasarawa State, the influx of foreign investments heralds a new chapter of economic transformation, underscored by the convergence of global capital and the state’s rich natural resources.
