In a bid to attract Qatari investments into Nigeria’s lithium sector, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Oladele Alake has pledged to provide comprehensive data on the pattern and quantity of energy mineral lithium available at the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency.
During a meeting in Doha, Qatar, on the sidelines of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s visit to the country, Alake assured Qatari businessmen that the Nigerian government has initiated mineral exploration, identifying locations with commercial quantities of high-grade lithium.
Responding to inquiries from Qatari business mogul Sheikh Shahid Jawad, Alake mentioned that during a visit to Australia, he received rock composite samples from Nigeria with high-grade lithium content, confirmed by laboratory analysis. This recognition by the global mining sector underscores the quality of Nigerian lithium.
Encouraging Qatari businessmen to explore opportunities in Nigeria’s mining sector, Alake highlighted the investor-friendly policies the government has put in place to facilitate business. He urged them to visit the country and witness the immense opportunities available.
The executive secretary of Solid Minerals Development Fund, Mrs. Fatimah Shinkafi also spoke at the event, urging investors to explore opportunities in mining infrastructures. She provided the example of Vale, a mining company in Brazil, which invested in trains to facilitate the transportation of minerals from mines to processing towns. Shinkafi emphasised the significance of transportation to future cost control.
The vice-chairman of the Qatar-Nigerian Chamber of Business, Muhammed Santuraki shared an update on the chamber’s activities in the mining sector. Formed in 2017 to build business relations between both countries, Santuraki noted the existence of good roads for hauling minerals to ports during a recent visit to a gold mine in Nasarawa State.
The minister’s special adviser, Kehinde Bamigbetan reported that other businessmen at the top-level meeting included CEO of ETCC Qatar, Sheikh El Jouneid and chairman of Asdub Oil & Gas, Aminu Dahiru. The collaborative efforts between Nigeria and Qatari investors aim to tap into the potential of Nigeria’s lithium resources, fostering mutual economic growth.
