Nigeria is struggling to claim its share of the global lithium boom, which is valued at more than $92 billion annually, as foreign firms continue to dominate exploration and production activities. Despite hosting lithium reserves worth an estimated $34 billion, local investors have been largely sidelined, with most large-scale projects controlled by international companies, particularly those from China, according to reports by Vanguard.
Lithium deposits in Nigeria are concentrated in Nasarawa, Kaduna, Niger, Kwara, Kogi, and Ekiti states, where several foreign-led operations are already underway. Companies such as Avatar and Ganfeng have invested in advanced processing facilities capable of handling thousands of metric tons per day. Meanwhile, Nigerian participation remains minimal, limited mostly to small-scale and artisanal mining activities, as highlighted by Vanguard.
Dr. Muda Yusuf, Executive Director of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise, said the limited involvement of Nigerian investors reflects a combination of policy uncertainty, infrastructure gaps, and lack of access to finance. “To ensure meaningful local participation, the government must strengthen geological data, provide investment incentives, and create a transparent framework for value addition within the country,” Yusuf said in an interview reported by Vanguard.
Industry experts believe the lithium surge offers Nigeria a chance to diversify its economy and participate meaningfully in the global clean energy transition. However, they caution that real gains will depend on the government’s ability to enforce local content requirements, improve security around mining zones, and ensure that foreign partnerships translate into technology transfer and industrial growth.
