The Nasarawa State Government says it is taking concrete steps toward establishing Nigeria’s first electric vehicle (EV) production factory, leveraging the state’s rich lithium resources.
Governor Abdullahi Sule made this announcement on Sunday during an event organised by the Abdullahi Sule Gidan-Gidan Support Group to celebrate his six years in office. The event took place in Lafia, the state capital.
Governor Sule said that the recent opening of a lithium processing factory in the state, built by Avatar New Energy Materials Company Limited, marks a major step forward in the journey to develop a clean energy automobile industry in Nigeria.
“Our goal is to ensure that lithium and other mineral resources found in Nasarawa are fully processed within the state before being transported or exported. This is how we create jobs and build a stronger economy,” Sule said.
He explained that the lithium currently being processed is only in the first stage and expressed the government’s determination to push forward into more advanced stages of production, including battery manufacturing and vehicle assembly.
“We will keep engaging with investors and strategic partners to see that we move to the next stage — producing batteries and assembling electric vehicles here in Nasarawa. That is the vision,” he added.
Although the governor admitted that the EV factory project may not be completed before the end of his tenure, he expressed confidence that his successor would continue and complete the initiative.
Governor Sule also thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his economic reforms, saying Nasarawa would continue to align with the Federal Government’s clean energy agenda and efforts to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
“I am committed to using the remaining two years of my administration to improve the lives of our citizens and drive more impactful projects across the state,” he promised.
Earlier at the event, the Chairperson of the Abdullahi Sule Gidan-Gidan Support Group and the governor’s daughter, Hajiya Hussaina Sule, praised her father’s achievements in the past six years.
She highlighted key infrastructure projects such as the construction of flyovers and underpasses in Lafia and Akwanga, the State Secretariat complex in Lafia, and over 600 kilometres of both urban and rural roads.
Hussaina said the event was not only to celebrate her father’s achievements but also to encourage continued support for his administration’s development agenda.
Nasarawa State’s abundant lithium deposits have gained attention in recent years, especially as global demand for electric vehicles and energy storage continues to rise. If fully realized, the proposed EV production factory would be the first of its kind in Nigeria, positioning Nasarawa as a key player in the country’s transition to clean energy.
