Zamfara State is positioning itself to become a key player in the global lithium battery industry. Governor Dauda Lawal disclosed this during the commissioning of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) Automotive Training Centre in Gusau.
The governor said his administration is taking deliberate steps to tap into opportunities in electric mobility and renewable energy sectors. He believes the training centre will equip young Nigerians with technical expertise needed in the fast-changing automotive and energy industries.
Lawal described the facility as a strategic move supporting the Federal Government's industrialisation push. It also positions Zamfara for future opportunities in clean energy development, he noted.
A major component of the state's plan involves procuring over 200 electric vehicles for interstate transportation services. According to the governor, the training centre will function as a technical hub for maintaining and servicing these vehicles.
He said the initiative will boost transportation efficiency across the state. It'll also generate employment and develop local technical capacity in the automotive sector.
Skills training is critical to tackling joblessness and promoting entrepreneurship, Lawal stressed. He added that technical and vocational education drives economic growth in any serious economy.
The governor appealed to development partners, investors, financial institutions and federal agencies to work with his government. He wants to expand youth empowerment and skills acquisition programmes across Zamfara.
"Sustainable development can only be achieved through collective efforts and strategic partnerships," he said.
Lawal also announced plans to build an access road to the training centre. Better connectivity around the facility will ease movement and improve accessibility.
The investment in lithium battery production represents part of Zamfara's broader push into clean energy and industrial development. State officials believe this will position the state competitively in Nigeria's emerging green economy.
