REVIEW article
Front. Geochem.
Sec. Mineral Geochemistry
Volume 3 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fgeoc.2025.1659636
Mechanistic Insights into Nigerian Lithium Ores: A Review with Implications for Energy and Industrial Applications
Provisionally accepted
- 1African Institute of Science and Technology, Abuja, Nigeria
- 2The Pennsylvania State University Penn State Law, University Park, United States
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Lithium is, a critical element in battery technology forand renewable energy storage applications. The mineral offers potential solutions to the current, has seen a surge in global energy demand, demand and can positioning Nigeria as a potential key player in the lithium supply chain. However, little to nothing is known of the lithium deposits in Nigeria. This review explores the formation, geology, and recent ongoing exploration activities of lithium deposits in Nigeria. The study provides an overview of the geological settings and mineralogical characteristics of the Nigerian lithium-bearing pegmatites and ores, comparing them with global deposits. It also examines current lithium mining and processing techniques, identifies significant developmental challenges and recommends potential solutions to lithium exploration in Nigeriahighlighting the challenges related to lack of infrastructure and technological capacity to scale up tested laboratory methods, limited technological expertise, illegal lithium mining, corruption, uncensored foreign encroachment, lack of documentation of mining activities and qualitative data, and weak regulatory institutions. Additionally, the paper discusses Nigeria's policy landscape, investment gaps, and the government's the efforts to establish a sustainable lithium processing industry. The findings emphasisze the need for best mineral extraction practices, improved beneficiation Formatted: Font color: Red Formatted: Font color: Red Formatted: Font color: Red Formatted: Font color: Red Formatted: Font color: Red Formatted: Font color: Red Formatted: Font color: Red Formatted: Font color: Red Formatted: Font color: Red Formatted: Font color: Red technologies, and strategic policy reforms to enhance Nigeria's position in the global lithium market. The study concludes that with proper investment and regulatory frameworks, Nigeria has the potential to become a significant lithium supplier and , contributeing to the the global transition towards clean energy.
Keywords: Nigerian lithium ores, energy transition, lithium-bearing minerals, Deposits, mineral processing
Received: 04 Jul 2025; Accepted: 05 Sep 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Olajuyi, Adamu, Ogunmodimu and Afolayan. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence:
Seun Isaiah Olajuyi, African Institute of Science and Technology, Abuja, Nigeria
David Oluwasegun Afolayan, African Institute of Science and Technology, Abuja, Nigeria
Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.