In a major push to reposition Nigeria as a leading force in Africa’s solid minerals sector, Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has announced that four lithium processing plants valued at over $800 million are scheduled to come online before the end of 2025.
Speaking in a statement on Sunday, Alake provided an update on the government’s progress in revamping the mining sector, highlighting new investments, regulatory reforms, and the country’s rising profile as a destination for global mineral exploration.
“We are commissioning a $600 million lithium processing complex spanning parts of Kaduna and Niger states, while a $200 million refinery near Abuja is almost ready to begin operations,” Alake revealed. “In addition, two more lithium plants are set to open in Nasarawa State before the third quarter of this year.”
The Minister emphasized that these facilities are a direct result of Nigeria’s shift towards local value addition, rather than exporting raw minerals. This new approach, he said, is not only attracting capital but also stimulating job creation, technology transfer, and a stronger industrial base.
“When we assumed office, Nigeria’s solid minerals sector was severely underperforming. In 2023, it generated only ₦6 billion in revenue. Thanks to sweeping reforms, that number has climbed to ₦38 billion by the end of 2024. That kind of leap shows real change,” he said.
One of the key reforms, according to Alake, was tightening the licensing regime. “We made it clear no mining license without a solid plan for domestic processing. The era of shipping raw minerals abroad with no benefit to our economy had to end.”
The minister also pointed to a significant shift in exploration efforts. Nigeria, which previously spent just $2 million on geological data collection, has now secured ₦1 trillion specifically for mineral exploration an unprecedented move aimed at boosting investor confidence and competitiveness.
Alake didn’t shy away from addressing illegal mining either. He disclosed that over 300 arrests were made in the past year, with 150 ongoing prosecutions and several convictions already secured, including foreign nationals involved in illicit activities.
To further formalize the sector, the government has established over 250 mining cooperatives, providing small-scale miners with access to finance and improved revenue-sharing mechanisms.
“Nigeria has gone from being overlooked to chairing the African Mineral Strategy Group, a new continental bloc focused on promoting value addition and fairer trade terms,” he added.
The results, Alake said, speak for themselves. The Mining Cadastral Office received over 10,000 applications in the first quarter alone a figure that highlights the surge in investor interest driven by the Ministry’s reforms.
“We’re not just digging up minerals anymore we’re turning them into real economic value for our people, our industries, and our future,” he concluded.
