Gov. Sule: Tinubu set to inaugurate Nigeria’s largest lithium processing plant in Nasarawa

President Bola Tinubu is set to inaugurate Nigeria’s largest lithium processing plant located in Nasarawa State, Governor Abdullahi Sule has announced.

Sule disclosed this on Tuesday during the launch of the October 2025 edition of the Nigeria Development Update (NDU) themed “From Policy to People: Bringing the Reform Gains Home.”

The governor said construction of the 66,000-tonne capacity plant described as the biggest in the country has been completed, though he did not specify a date for the commissioning.

He confirmed, however, that President Tinubu had personally affirmed his attendance.

“The president has confirmed that he will be in Nasarawa to commission the lithium plant,” Sule said.

In March, Atiku Bagudu, minister of budget and economic planning, announced that four lithium processing plants were under construction across the country as part of federal efforts to strengthen the solid minerals sector and diversify Nigeria’s economy.

Sule said Nasarawa’s focus is on sustainable growth that prioritises long-term value creation over short-term gains.

“We are looking at sustainable development, not something that cannot be sustained. We are developing our human capital.

“As far as Nasarawa State is concerned, we have oil exploration ongoing, we have mining activities and we are ensuring they all translate into meaningful development,” the governor said.

‘States only get 26% of federal allocation’

Governor Sule also addressed what he described as public misconceptions about state revenues, noting that governors receive less than many Nigerians assume.

“When you just say ‘federal allocation,’ people think all of that money goes to governors but that’s not the case.
“The sharing formula is such that 52 percent goes to the federal government, 26 percent to the 36 states combined, and 20 percent to the local government,” he said.

He added that despite receiving less than half of the total allocation, state governments often bear the brunt of public criticism over spending.

“Anytime the punches come, they come to the governors. But are we appreciating what we are getting or not? We are,” Sule said.

The governor reiterated his earlier position that subnational governments now have greater financial capacity than in previous years and must channel those resources into transformative investments that can drive inclusive growth.

“We have an opportunity now with more resources coming to the states to invest in sectors that will truly transform our economy,” he said.