Solar Panels, EV Batteries To Be Manufactured In Nigeria – Tinubu

Poised to positioning the nation as a production hub in Africa, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced plans for the local manufacturing of solar panels and electric vehicle (EV) batteries.
Tinubu made the declaration during the inauguration of Nigeria’s largest Lithium Processing Plant in Lafia, Nasarawa State.
A statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, at the weekend, emphasised the significance of this development as a testament to the country’s appeal for foreign investment.
The statement said, “there are other aspects of lithium that you 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”.
President Tinubu, who welcomed the inauguration of the plant and the announcement of further investment, stressed the importance of environmental stewardship, community engagement, and corporate social responsibility for the Chinese firms.
He urged them to prioritise these aspects as integral components of their operations, highlighting the potential for collaboration to promote mutual interests between China and Nigeria.
“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.
“It is a great joy to have you (the Chinese executives) in Nigeria. It is part of our campaign that Nigeria is open for business. We congratulate your courage in believing in us and the inauguration of the new factory.
“I can assure you that we will continue to give you the necessary support and encouragement. This is an opportunity for you to help tell the rest of the investment world that Nigeria is solid and open for business”, the President said.
It would be recalled that Avatar, a prominent Chinese firm, has established a lithium processing plant in Nasarawa State, capable of producing approximately 4,000 metric tonnes of lithium daily.
In addition, Canmax Technologies, another leading Chinese company renowned for its significant contribution to global battery material production, has announced plans for a new investment of $200 million to establish another lithium processing plant in the region.
Present  at the inauguration were 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.