Oganyi Franklin has made over N7.6 million from illegal lithium sales in Nigeria, showcasing the thriving illicit market fueled by social media. The government’s regulation efforts face challenges from widespread bribery and lack of formal oversight, leading to substantial revenue losses and untraced exports.
In Nigeria, the illegal lithium trade is thriving, with individuals like Oganyi Franklin reportedly earning over N7.6 million in just three weeks from selling illicitly sourced lithium. This critical mineral is essential for renewable energy technologies, and Franklin markets it primarily via social media platforms like Facebook and TikTok. On 28 February 2023, he showcased lithium kunzite in a Facebook Live video, claiming the materials were of high quality and well-sorted. The illicit lithium market has been exacerbated by thousands of miners and traders operating in states like Kwara and Nasarawa, causing significant revenue losses for the Nigerian government. Although lithium mining exists across various states, the National Bureau of Statistics does not record its export, indicating illicit financial flows. Numerous traders utilize social media to connect buyers with sellers, often exchanging contact details through Facebook groups focused on lithium and other minerals. The trading network has links to mining villages where illegal mining occurs; however, government crackdowns have yet to hinder the business. It’s estimated that a kilogramme of lithium sells for between N682 and N700, with a tonne costing up to N1 million. Moreover, traders mentioned unofficial payments being made to state governments and various forms of bribery to transport lithium across regions, further complicating regulation efforts. The federal government has initiated a task force to combat illegal mining practices, but traders report that bribing security personnel remains a widespread practice to maintain operations and avoid detection. Calls to state government officials for comments on these practices have gone mostly unanswered, reflecting a larger systemic issue in how Nigeria manages its mineral resources. The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development has acknowledged the problem but cites structural inefficiencies as the core issue hindering regulatory measures against illegal mining activities.
The illegal lithium trade in Nigeria highlights significant oversight failures within the country’s extractive sector. Lithium is an increasingly sought-after resource, essential for battery production used in renewable energy systems. Despite the Nigerian government’s push to regulate mining and prevent revenue loss, illicit activities continue to flourish, particularly in states rich in lithium deposits. This has led to revenue insufficiencies for the government and the emergence of a vast network of traders leveraging social media to facilitate transactions.
The illegal lithium trade in Nigeria represents a considerable challenge to the government, with significant revenue losses due to unregulated mining activities. Despite policy efforts to curb these practices, the persistence of bribery and lack of formal oversight continues to enable the black market, undermining the economic potential of the country’s mineral resources.
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