Governor Uba Sani Launches Nigeria’s First Lithium Processing Plant in Kaduna
Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has established Nigeria’s first lithium processing plant, marking a major milestone in the country’s mineral development sector. The plant, located in Kangimi village along the Kaduna-Jos highway, has a production capacity exceeding 30,000 tonnes of lithium per day.
This development was announced by the State Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Alhaji Abubakar Buba, during the quarterly ministerial press briefing. He described Kaduna as a key hub for solid minerals in Nigeria, with over 70 different resources, including lithium, gold, tin, coltan, wolframite, titanium, and iron.
To further strengthen the sector, Buba said the Kaduna Mining Development Company has secured 18 new mineral titles, a strategic move aimed at expanding exploration and revenue.
He added that Governor Sani is committed to leveraging the solid minerals sector to boost internal revenue, attract foreign investment, create jobs, and combat illegal mining.
As part of this drive, the state has engaged Core International Marketing and Management Ltd to design a comprehensive Mining Development Roadmap for Kaduna.
According to Buba, the state generated N30 million from mining in the last half of 2024, with higher earnings projected for 2025.
“The lithium processing plant established by Governor Uba Sani is a first of its kind in Nigeria and has the capacity to produce over 30,000 tonnes per day,” Buba stated.
He also reported a sharp decline in illegal mining, crediting the improvement to tighter surveillance and proactive policy measures. “The Governor approved the formation of cooperative societies for former illegal miners to integrate them into the formal sector,” Buba said. “These individuals will also assist investors as local guides and workforce due to their familiarity with the terrain.”
Buba highlighted the state’s advancements in environmental sustainability.
He said Kaduna has become the first sub-national in Nigeria to develop both a State Policy on Climate Change and a Climate Position Statement.
In collaboration with the ACReSAL project (Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes), he stated the government trained over 500 youths and women in the production of briquettes, offering an alternative to firewood and charcoal for cooking.
“In our region, people commonly rely on firewood. We saw the need to offer a sustainable alternative before enforcing restrictions on wood burning,” Buba explained.
Additionally, the government, in partnership with the Women’s Initiative on Sustainable Environment (WISE), distributed clean cooking stoves to 400 beneficiaries, helping reduce harmful emissions and protect the environment.
Buba also noted that Kaduna has been recognized as part of the Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC) and was named the cleanest city in North-West Nigeria in 2024.
“Our aim this year is to become the cleanest state in the country,” he concluded.
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