My Govt'II Make Nigeria the Solar Panel, Ev Battery Manufacturing Hub - Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has commended the inauguration of Nigeria's largest lithium processing plant in Lafia Nasarawa State, vowing, he would make Nigeria the Solar panel and EV Battery Manufacturing Hub in Africa.

President Tinubu made the remarks on Friday in Abuja during a meeting with Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, who was accompanied by Mr. Hi Yongwei, Chairman of Avatar New Energy Materials Company Limited, and Mr. Zhenhua Pei, Chairman, Canmax Technologies. 

Avatar, a Chinese firm, built the lithium processing plant which produces about 4,000 metric tonnes daily while Canmax Technologies, a renowned Chinese firm responsible for over 30% of global battery material production, announced a new investment of $200 million for another lithium processing plant in Nasarawa State.

Welcoming the inauguration of the plant and the announcement of new investment plans, President Tinubu urged the Chinese firms to prioritize environmental protection, community engagement, and corporate social responsibility initiatives as integral parts of their operations.

He said, "There are other aspects of lithium that we are exploring in the country, especially in battery production. Nigeria is a huge market for solar panels.

"Africa is a major consumer of solar technologies. I do not see why these panels and batteries cannot be produced here. The labour is cheaper. Our youths are vibrant and skilled. Our people are brilliant and adapt to new technology. 

"The economy is increasingly more vibrant, and Nigeria is dependable. We have the consumption capacity and a surplus of steady-handed citizens with gifted minds and an innate drive to work and produce.

''You must not leave the community in ruins as you explore for our high-grade minerals. You must be concerned with cooperation and always care for the community.

''We are caring partners. We want your investments to succeed so that you can expand further. Whenever you call on us, we will help you. You can, in mutually-beneficial collaboration with us, dominate the solar panel market as part of a revolution in Africa and the West African sub-region. 

''You can always promote the interest of China and Nigeria as the best place in Africa to do business. We are preparing to produce in this country the solar technologies that the entire continent will use,'' the President said. 

President Tinubu also applauded Governor Sule and the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr. Dele Alake, for their dedication to ensuring environmental protection and value addition by mining firms operating in the country.