Nasarawa state in central Nigeria has become a focal point for the country’s developing lithium sector, where thousands of artisanal miners are working to extract the mineral that has become critical to electric vehicle batteries and renewable energy storage. These miners — operating with hand tools and small equipment — say they hope to capture some of the financial benefits arising from the accelerating global push toward cleaner energy technologies.
Local miners and community members describe a rush of activity as demand for lithium increases internationally. For many in Nasarawa, small-scale mining offers a rare income opportunity in areas with limited alternative employment, and the prospect of higher commodity prices has driven more people to join the trade. The growth of this informal sector has prompted attention from companies, regulators and observers interested in how Nigeria might convert its resource potential into broader economic gains.
Challenges remain for these artisanal operators. Informal mining typically contends with issues such as limited access to formal markets, hazardous working conditions and the absence of clear regulatory frameworks that could provide security of tenure or technical support. How authorities and industry actors respond will influence whether local miners can transition into safer, more productive roles within a formalised supply chain for battery minerals.
The developments in Nasarawa highlight a broader dilemma facing resource-rich countries seeking to benefit from the clean energy transition: leveraging natural assets to foster local development while managing environmental, social and governance concerns. As Nigeria’s lithium activities evolve, the experiences of artisanal miners in Nasarawa will be closely watched as an early indicator of the country’s ability to translate mineral wealth into sustainable economic opportunity.