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Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule presided over the signing of a $2 million supplementary lithium agreement between the state government and Diamond New Energy following his recent visit to China. The agreement was signed at the Nasarawa State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja on Friday.
Speaking during the ceremony, Sule thanked the investors for their confidence in Nasarawa State and Nigeria, saying the agreement was designed to protect the interests of both the state and the company.
He said the arrangement would ensure the company’s factory continues operating by guaranteeing access to raw materials.
“By keeping your factory operational, we ensure that you continue to get raw material. That is the essence of this agreement, and that is the essence of us quickly obtaining that licence before somebody else will get it. Now we have achieved both aims,” the governor said.
Sule added that the state had an interest in the company’s operations as the licence owner, while stressing that keeping the factory operational would also protect jobs created for residents.
“We are going to keep your factory functional, and we also have an interest as licence owners in whatever you are doing in your company. More importantly, the people you have employed will remain employed,” he said.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Margaret Elayo, thanked the investors for their continued commitment to the state and said the partnership would attract more investors.
Officials from the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, the Nasarawa State Investment Development Agency (NASIDA), and representatives of Diamond New Energy and Ganfeng Lithium Industry Limited witnessed the signing.
Sule Urges Support for Host Communities
The governor also urged the company to maintain peaceful relations with its host communities and contribute to their development.
He described cordial relations with host communities as essential to protecting investments in the state.
Sule disclosed that all payments due to the state under the agreement would be made directly to Nasarawa Mining Company Limited in foreign currency, with provisions for periodic reviews of the agreement’s terms.
Agreement Builds on 2024 Deal
NASIDA Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Ibrahim Abdullahi recalled that the state government signed an exclusive mining cooperation agreement with the company in 2024. He said the partnership helped complete what he described as the largest lithium processing refinery in West Africa.
According to him, the new supplementary agreement would further strengthen investor confidence and allow the continued supply of lithium materials from the state government’s mining block to the refinery.
“This supplementary agreement gives credence to these issues. It further gives confidence to the investor to do even more within Nasarawa State,” Abdullahi said.
He added that continued lithium supply would create more opportunities for young people and women in Nasarawa State to secure employment.
Abdullahi also said the agreement would provide an immediate financial benefit to the state, with $2 million payable to Nasarawa State upon signing, while additional revenues would accrue subsequently in line with the agreement.
Company Pledges Commitment
A representative of Diamond New Energy, David Siong, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to expanding its operations in Nasarawa State. He said the company was focused on processing mineral resources locally, creating jobs for host communities and contributing to economic development.
“Diamond New Energy always insists on and firmly believes in the further development of resources in Nasarawa, the deep processing of resources, creating employment for the local community, and boosting local economic development,” Siong said.
He also said the company expects continued support from the state government in implementing the partnership.
The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Isaac Danladi, presented copies of the deed of assignment between Nasarawa Mining Company Limited and Ganfeng Lithium Industry Limited.
Danladi explained that the deed transferred the mining rights and interests Nasarawa Mining Company held within 3.5 mining cadastral units in Endo, Nasarawa Local Government Area, to Ganfeng Lithium Industry Limited.
He said the transfer followed a critical review of the agreement by all parties involved.
