Sule: Investment summits driving lithium boom, job creation in Nasarawa
Governor Abdullahi Sule has said Nasarawa State’s investment summits are attracting mining firms, boosting lithium production and creating jobs as part of broader efforts to expand the state’s economy. Speaking
Governor Abdullahi Sule has said Nasarawa State’s investment summits are attracting mining firms, boosting lithium production and creating jobs as part of broader efforts to expand the state’s economy.
Speaking during an interview on a national television programme on Thursday, the governor explained that the investment drive, which began in 2022, focuses on key sectors including mining, agriculture, power and manufacturing, with the goal of converting investor interest into concrete projects.
Sule noted that the lithium sector has recorded significant growth since the inaugural summit.
According to him, the state had no mining companies in 2022 but now hosts several firms, including what he described as the largest lithium processing plant in Africa.
He said the state deliberately targeted credible investors with the capacity to execute projects, rather than those making speculative commitments.
He added that energy companies involved through the summits have expanded solar mini-grid projects in rural communities, improving electricity access.
The governor stressed that the initiatives are generating employment opportunities and equipping young people with technical skills. He said many youths have been trained to operate and maintain industrial equipment, enhancing their long-term employability.
READ ALSO: Why men fear court marriages, by Ubi Franklin
Sule also revealed that the investment summits are beginning to yield financial returns, with private sector players increasingly funding the events.
He said recent editions have attracted more funding than required, reducing the financial burden on the state government.
On agriculture, the governor said efforts are ongoing to expand farmland and boost food production, including new planting plans at the state-owned rice farm in Jangwa.
He added that the government has introduced reforms aimed at improving the ease of doing business, including mechanisms for resolving commercial disputes and protecting investments, to ensure sustained economic growth beyond his administration.
