…As a British recycling facility is to be cited in Ogun State
By Faridat Salifu
Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun has said his administration is committed to making Ogun the most attractive state for investment in Nigeria.
He gave the assurance during the courtesy wwhile playing host to the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Richard Montgomery, who visited the Governor’s Office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, the state capital.
In a statement released from the Governor’s Office, the British diplomat was in Abeokuta on Wednesday to intimate the governor and the state government about British interest in establishing a battery manufacturing and recycling company in the state.
Responding to Montgomery’s disclosure of readiness to cite a $5 million battery manufacturing and recycling company 8n the state, Governor Abiodun welcomed the development, highlighting Ogun State’s strategic position as an industrial hub in Nigeria.
He pointed out that the state is home to a vast number of manufacturing companies, supported by its proximity to gas pipelines from the Niger Delta.
“Ogun State offers a favourable environment for investors, with large deposits of minerals like limestone, and expansive land for agricultural activities.
“We have streamlined land acquisition processes and minimised bureaucratic hurdles to encourage more businesses to set up here.
We have also prioritised infrastructure, including road networks, to ensure easy access for businesses,” Governor Abiodun said.
Earlier, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, announced efforts being put into establishing which is expected to establish Nigeria as a leader in e-waste recycling across Africa.
Montgomery expressed optimism about the project, describing it as a landmark development in Africa’s recycling industry.
“The battery recycling plant will be the first of its kind in Africa, allowing us to recycle batteries back into their chemical components and export the black mass containing vital minerals for the production of new batteries.
“ This is an exciting opportunity for both Ogun State and the continent,” Montgomery said. This investment will help Ogun become the focal point for battery recycling in Africa, and we hope it will serve as a catalyst for further technological innovation in the state,” Montgomery said.
He emphasised the UK’s continued interest in sectors such as energy, technology, tertiary education, and agricultural processing, with a focus on attracting more UK-linked businesses to the state.
The high level British diplomat added that the new venture aligns with the UK’s broader interest in partnering with Nigeria on key issues such as clean energy, technological innovation, and sustainable development
The establishment of the battery recycling plant aligns with global efforts to manage e-waste more effectively, particularly in developing economies.
When it becomes operational, the project is expected to mitigate the environmental risks posed by improper disposal of used batteries, which contain hazardous chemicals.