Korede Abdullah 
KWARA, Nigeria – Kwara State secures $35 million in Chinese investments as a lithium processing plant begins operations, boosting Nigeria’s industrialisation drive.
Two foreign direct investment projects worth about $35 million commence in Kwara State, reinforcing Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s push for value-driven industrial growth.
The team lead of ER-KANG Company Limited, Sun Qing Rong, announces on Wednesday in Ilorin that the company has completed and commissioned a $20 million lithium processing plant in the state.
“This facility processes lithium into industrial-grade materials instead of exporting raw minerals,” Sun says. “It aligns fully with Nigeria’s policy on local value addition.”
He says the plant currently employs more than 300 workers, mostly Kwara indigenes, and confirms plans to establish a pharmaceutical manufacturing company valued at over $15 million.
“This is one of the outcomes of our engagement with His Excellency in Beijing two years ago. Today, the lithium plant is operational,” Sun says, adding that construction of the pharmaceutical factory begins later this year.
According to him, the pharmaceutical project will include infusion and small-volume injection workshops to address persistent drug shortages in Nigeria.
Sun also says ER-KANG plans to collaborate with the state government on the proposed industrial park to deepen manufacturing capacity.
Governor AbdulRazaq welcomes the investments, describing them as critical to job creation, technology transfer and sustainable economic development.
“Kwara remains open and supportive of investors who bring value, skills and long-term growth,” the governor says.
Analysts say the projects position Kwara as a rising hub for mineral processing and pharmaceuticals, sectors Nigeria hopes will reduce import dependence and expand non-oil exports.
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