UK to establish $5m lithium battery recycling plant in Ogun

REPORT AFRIQUE 

Abeokuta, Nigeria – A British investor and CEO of Hinckley E-Waste Recycling Ltd, Adrian Clews, has announced plans to build a $5 million lithium-ion and lead-acid battery recycling plant in Ogun State, Nigeria.

The initiative, supported by Manufacturing Africa, a UK government program, aims to tackle Nigeria’s growing electronic waste problem while creating over 100 direct jobs.

Speaking at a press briefing at the Olusegun Osoba Press Centre, Governor’s Office in Abeokuta, Clews highlighted Nigeria’s significant contribution to e-waste, ranking as the second-highest producer in Africa, generating over 200,000 metric tonnes annually. Electronic waste is known for its high toxicity, posing serious health and environmental risks.

Clews explained that the battery recycling plant, expected to be completed within 12 months, will help reduce the dangers posed by e-waste. “Nigeria generates over 200,000 tonnes of electronic waste every year, which is left on dumpsites across the country.

This poses a significant threat to people’s health and the environment,” Clews said. He emphasized the importance of raising standards in battery recycling, noting that the informal sector currently handling much of the recycling is not equipped to do so safely.

The State’s Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Ola Oresanya, praised the project, noting that the state is a leader in environmental waste management. “Ogun is the headquarters of recycling in Nigeria, handling over 1,400 metric tonnes of plastic bottles and 1,300 tonnes of ferrous and non-ferrous metals daily. We also recycle 1,400 tonnes of paper every day, with over 780 people involved in the aggregation of these materials,” Oresanya said.

The commissioner added that there are already seven companies engaged in battery recycling in the state and assured Hinckley E-Waste of the government’s full support.

British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, who was also present at the event, emphasized the UK’s commitment to investing in initiatives that improve quality of life. He noted that the UK government sees opportunities in sectors such as energy, technology, education, and agriculture in Nigeria. “This recycling plant is one way we are working to support socio-economic development in Nigeria.