President Bola Tinubu will soon commission Nigeria’s most advanced lithium processing factory in Nasarawa State, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Oladele Henry Alake, announced on Tuesday.

Speaking at the Nigeria Mining Week 2025 in Abuja, Alake said the project marks another bold step in the Tinubu administration’s resolve to take on long-neglected infrastructure initiatives and reposition Nigeria’s solid minerals sector for global relevance.

“As soon as Mr. President returns from his trip, he’s going to commission the most solid lithium grid in Nasarawa,” Alake said.

The minister noted that the lithium factory represents a major breakthrough in the government’s effort to boost mineral processing and local value addition, describing it as a “game changer” for industrialisation and export earnings.

Alake drew a parallel between the lithium project and other major infrastructure works under the Tinubu administration, such as the Sokoto–Badagry and Lagos–Calabar highways, which had been on the drawing board for over four decades.

“The Sokoto–Badagry plan and Lagos–Calabar highway have been in the works for about 43 years. No one summoned the courage to embark on those game-changing projects, but it’s now in motion,” he said.

According to him, these bold steps reflect the President’s commitment to breaking old barriers and driving sustainable growth through decisive action.

“It takes a bold leader to translate good intentions into real projects. No government comes to power without good intentions; the difference lies in the courage to act,” the minister stated.

Alake emphasised that the Nasarawa lithium factory will enhance Nigeria’s capacity in the global battery minerals value chain, providing a platform for job creation, industrial growth, and energy transition opportunities.

He said the initiative is part of the administration’s broader plan to ensure that Nigeria processes its mineral resources locally instead of exporting them raw.

“This administration is committed to changing the narrative from exporting raw minerals to adding value here at home,” Alake added.

He reaffirmed the government’s focus on innovation, transparency, and infrastructure expansion as pathways to make the solid minerals sector globally competitive.

“Progress is the foundation, but global recognition is the goal,” he said.