- Ogun State revealed plans for a $5 million battery recycling facility to be established in partnership with a British company
- This facility will be the first of its kind in Africa, focusing on sustainable waste management and boosting local job opportunities
- The United Kingdom has expressed increased interest in investing in various sectors in Ogun, including energy, technology, and agriculture
The Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun has revealed plans for a $5 million battery recycling facility, to be developed by a British company in the state.
The governor disclosed this in a statement after receiving a visit from the British High Commissioner, Richard Montgomery in Abeokuta on Wednesday, September 18.
Ogun State reveals $5 million British battery recycling plans
“We are pleased to announce the establishment of a $5 million British battery recycling company in @OGSG_Official, marking the first of its kind in Africa. This development was confirmed by the @UKinNigeria High Commissioner, Mr. Richard Montgomery, during a visit to my office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta,” the statement read.
Abiodun noted that the British High Commissioner confirmed the new development, adding that there is a heightened interest from the United Kingdom in investing in Ogun, particularly in areas like energy, technology, agriculture, and education.
“This initiative, in collaboration with Ogun Invest and the Bureau of Lands, will bring cutting-edge technology and new job opportunities to our state, positioning Ogun as a leader in battery recycling across Africa.
“The United Kingdom has expressed further interest in investing in Ogun, particularly in energy, technology, agriculture, and education.
He explained that the battery plant will recycle electronic waste, transform battery cells into chemical form, and ship the extracted minerals for use in new battery manufacturing.
Discussions ongoing to strengthen partnerships for development
“The plant will recycle e-waste, converting battery cells back into chemical form and exporting the minerals for new battery production.
He added that efforts are underway to expand these partnerships, which involve technical support for the state’s mass transit system.
“Discussions are ongoing to expand these partnerships, and we are excited about the possibilities ahead. British International Investment has already supported cashew processing in the state, and we welcome their technical assistance for our mass transit system,” the Governor added.
Nigeria ranks second in electronic waste production in Africa, Clews
According to Adrian Clews, CEO of Hinckley E-Waste Recycling Ltd, Nigeria is the second largest producer of electronic waste on the continent, after South Africa.
Clews shared this insight during the visit to Ogun State with the British High Commissioner, Richard Montgomery at the Olusegun Osoba Press Centre, situated in the Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
He noted that the country generates 200,000 metric tonnes of electronic waste, classified as one of the most toxic wastes in the world.
Hinckley, set to establish Africa’s first lithium battery plant in Ogun
Clews stated that with assistance from Manufacturing Africa, a UK government initiative, a $5 million recycling plant for Lithium-ion and lead-acid batteries is being launched in the state, aiming to turn the risks associated with toxic waste into a successful business that will create at least 100 direct jobs.
“Nigeria generates electronic wastes of over 200,000 tonnes every year and these are left on the dump sites across the country which poses a significant threat to the health of the people and the environment.
“So at Hinckley, it was an excitement to take it upon ourselves to establish Africa’s first Lithium battery recycling plant here in Ogun state and which is supported by Manufacturing Africa under the British government.
Recycling plant to be operational within 12 months
“The lead in the battery is a heavy metal that is quite dangerous to the health of the people, unfortunately, there is a large informal sector that are recycling these batteries, we need to raise the standards considerably and that is one of the reasons for the investment.
“The $5m investment with state of the art facilities is expected to have been completed within the next 12 months.”
Governor Abiodun orders refund of N10,000 paid by job applicants in Ogun State
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the Ogun State Government came under fire for asking job applicants to pay N10,000 for an application form for employment in the civil service.
The State Governor ordered that the commission refund the fees paid to the applicants.