Tinubu addresses World Leaders at 2026 Sustainability Week in Abu Dhabi (Full Video)

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared that Nigeria is placing lithium and other critical minerals at the heart of its strategy to compete in the global clean energy transition.

The president made this known on Monday while addressing world leaders, investors and industry stakeholders at the 2026 Sustainability Week in Abu Dhabi, where he outlined Nigeria’s energy transition agenda and mineral resource potential.

Tinubu said Nigeria’s vast reserves of critical minerals position the country to play a strategic role in the clean energy value chain, particularly in battery manufacturing and energy storage.

“Nigeria is prioritising critical minerals for a clean energy future,” the president said. “Among the rare earth minerals available in abundance, our lithium reserves hold transformative potential for battery production, energy storage and expanded power capacity.”

He explained that Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan (ETP) provides a unified framework linking energy access, climate responsibility, industrial expansion and social development.

According to him, the transition is already taking shape through targeted initiatives, including pilot programmes in electric mobility and nationwide energy efficiency schemes.

“Our pilot electric mobility projects and national energy efficiency programmes are designed to reduce emissions, lower energy costs and stimulate industrial development,” Tinubu stated.

The president urged international investors to look beyond raw mineral extraction and embrace partnerships that promote local processing and value addition within Nigeria.

“I invite partnerships that ensure not just extraction of minerals, but local processing and value addition. This will create jobs and strengthen industrial capacity at home,” he said.

Tinubu assured potential investors of Nigeria’s readiness for business, stressing the government’s commitment to an investor-friendly environment anchored on transparency and mutual benefit.

“Nigeria is ready to do business. It is easy in, easy out — but we want value addition,” he added.

Lithium is a key component in electric vehicle batteries and renewable energy storage systems, making it increasingly valuable as the world shifts away from fossil fuels toward cleaner energy sources.

Tinubu’s remarks signal Nigeria’s intention to leverage its lithium and critical mineral resources not only to attract clean energy investments, but also to drive industrial growth and long-term economic diversification.

Very Nigerian.

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