Nigeria Offers Mineral Data to Support Qatari Business Interests in Lithium
The Nigerian Geological Survey Agency possesses valuable and comprehensive data concerning the distribution and quantity of the energy mineral Lithium, which could prove pivotal for businesses interested in establishing lithium companies in Nigeria. This information was confirmed by Dr. Oladele Alake, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, during a meeting with Qatari businessmen in Doha, Qatar, held in conjunction with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s official visit to the Arab country.
Dr. Alake assured the Qatari business community that the Nigerian government’s mineral exploration initiatives have successfully identified locations with substantial commercial-grade lithium deposits. This assertion was further substantiated by his own experience when presented with high-grade lithium content rock samples from Nigeria during a visit to Australia, which had been confirmed by laboratory analysis.
To incentivize Qatari businessmen to explore the potential for mining investments in Nigeria, Dr. Alake highlighted the favorable and investor-friendly policies that the Nigerian government has implemented to facilitate business activities. Additionally, Mrs. Fatimah Shinkafi, the Executive Secretary of the Solid Minerals Development Fund, emphasized the importance of investment in mining infrastructure, citing the example of Vale, a Brazilian mining company that strategically invested in transportation facilities to streamline the process of transporting minerals from the mines to the processing towns.
In a report on their activities in the mining sector, Muhammed Santuraki, the Vice-chairman of the Qatar-Nigerian Chamber of Business, shared insights from a recent visit to a gold mine in Nasarawa State, Nigeria, where he observed the existence of well-maintained roads for mineral transportation to the ports. This, along with the presence of other influential businessmen such as Sheikh Shahid Jawad, Sheikh El Jouneid, and Aminu Dahiru at the meeting, showcased the growing interest and potential for business collaboration between Qatar and Nigeria.
The availability of such substantial mineral data and the commitment of the Nigerian government to facilitate and support mining investments suggest promising opportunities for Qatari businessmen interested in the lithium industry in Nigeria. Furthermore, the enthusiasm and engagement displayed by all the parties involved in the meeting are indicative of a positive trajectory for future bilateral business relations between Nigeria and Qatar.
