Vice President Kashim Shettima on Thursday commissioned what the Federal Government described as Nigeria’s largest lithium processing plant in Nasarawa State.
Shettima, who represented President Bola Tinubu at the inauguration of the Diamond New Energy lithium processing facility, said the project reflects growing investor confidence in Nigeria and the economic reforms of the current administration.
According to him, the country must move beyond exporting raw minerals and focus on processing them locally to create jobs, develop skills and boost economic growth.
“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 this administration,” he said.
The Vice President added that Nigeria is positioning itself to benefit from the global minerals economy through value addition rather than raw material exports.
“What changes a nation is the deliberate movement from extraction to processing, from potential to production, from raw materials to value-added goods,” he added.
Shettima noted that Nigeria’s vast deposits of lithium, gold, tin and iron ore would only translate into sustainable economic prosperity if the country prioritises local processing and manufacturing.
He also described the solid minerals sector as a key component of the Federal Government’s economic diversification agenda, citing the rising global demand for critical minerals driven by the transition to clean energy.
The Vice President commended Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule for creating an enabling environment that attracted the investment.
