A five-million-dollar UK battery recycling company is set to be established in Ogun State.
The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Richard Montgomery, disclosed this on Wednesday during a courtesy visit to Governor Dapo Abiodun at his Oke-Mosan office in Abeokuta.
Mr. Montgomery stated that the facility, once operational, will be the best in Africa.
He remarked, “My visit is centered around a new recycling deal, relocating from Lagos State and establishing a state-of-the-art plant here for e-waste recycling. Ogun Invest and the Director General of Lands are working hard to finalize the agreement, and I’m pleased to join the final discussions. This project will introduce cutting-edge technology and create new jobs in Ogun State.”
He added that the batteries manufactured in Ogun will be the first of their kind in Africa, positioning the state as a leader in battery recycling on the continent.
“For the first time, we will be able to recycle cells back to chemical form in Africa and export the black mass containing battery minerals to produce new batteries.”
Mr. Montgomery expressed excitement over the support received from Ogun Invest, with officials from the Bureau of Lands confirming the Certificate of Occupation. “This investment, approximately five million dollars, positions Ogun State as a key player in the growth of this industry,” he noted.
He also expressed interest in expanding UK involvement in areas like energy, technology, tertiary education, and agricultural processing. Ongoing discussions aim to attract more UK-linked companies to the state.
Additionally, the visit served to review Ogun’s progress as Nigeria’s industrial hub and the conducive business environment created by the state.
The High Commissioner also highlighted that the British International Investment has invested in a major cashew processing company in Ogun and expressed readiness to provide technical assistance to the state’s mass transit system, currently in its trial phase.
Responding, Governor Abiodun emphasized that Ogun has vast land resources suitable for agriculture, alongside rich mineral deposits such as limestone.
He highlighted Ogun’s status as home to numerous manufacturing companies and the state’s expansive industrial park, facilitated by gas pipelines from the Niger Delta that span across the state.
The governor emphasized that the state’s focus on infrastructure development is aimed at attracting more investments, thus improving the livelihoods of its residents.
Governor Abiodun also discussed Ogun’s agricultural contributions to Nigeria’s food security and the state’s advancements in education and healthcare. He mentioned that the creation of the Ministry of Transportation and the development of a Transportation Master Plan were outcomes of his participation in a UK summit in 2020.
He expressed gratitude for the UK’s support, particularly in staff training, and reaffirmed Ogun’s openness to business, noting that bureaucratic processes have been minimized, land acquisition for investors streamlined, and the economy continues to grow.
“Ogun State is efficient and forward-thinking. I extend my thanks to the High Commissioner for the support we’ve received from the British Foreign Office,” Governor Abiodun concluded.
