Nigeria’s Lithium, Copper, Bauxite Deposits Key to Green Transition – Report

Nigeria’s endowment of lithium, copper and bauxite aligns precisely with the minerals needed to accelerate the country’s green energy transition, according to a new report formally presented to the federal government on Monday, June 29, 2026.
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‎The report was handed over to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, by the Council for Critical Minerals Development in the Global South at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja. The presentation was disclosed in a statement by Lara Owoeye-Wise, Special Assistant on Media to the minister.
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‎According to Owoeye-Wise, “The council is a collaborative platform dedicated to helping emerging economies build secure, local mineral supply chains that drive domestic industrialisation.” She explained that the report analysed Nigeria’s projected demand for solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, energy storage technologies and electric vehicles, while also examining current mineral supply and trade patterns. “The report also charted a direct line from Nigeria’s clean energy ambitions to its mineral wealth,” she said.
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‎The document goes beyond mapping reserves. “The report also assesses current supply and trade positions, identifies the gaps and sets out strategic pathways to close it,” Owoeye-Wise added.
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‎Receiving the report, Dr Alake said it provides a mineral policy guide for Nigeria’s drive to leverage its resources for energy transition. “While mapping domestic demand, supply and trade patterns, this report provides mineral-specific policy pathways to leverage Nigeria’s resources for our own green industrialisation,” the minister noted.
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‎Following the handover, the Council for Critical Minerals Development in the Global South and the solid minerals ministry committed to three immediate actions. First, they will develop a mineral-to-manufacturing localisation roadmap to retain more value in-country. Second, “greater South-South investment partnerships will be pursued to connect Nigeria with manufacturers and investors across the Global South.” Third, local stakeholders will be engaged to advance green industrialisation projects tied to Nigeria’s clean energy goals.
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‎The Council for Critical Minerals Development in the Global South is a partnership between Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) and the Global South Center for Clean Transportation, Institute of Transportation Studies, UC Davis, according to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, which reported the development.
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‎The report’s findings come as Nigeria seeks to position its solid minerals sector as a driver of industrial growth and climate action, using lithium for batteries, copper for grid and EV infrastructure, and bauxite for aluminum in renewable energy systems.