By Ebenezer Mabinuola
In a major step toward repositioning Nigeria as a continental hub for critical minerals, the Federal Government has endorsed a $400 million foreign direct investment project to establish Africa’s largest rare earth and critical minerals processing facility in Nasarawa State.
Spearheaded by Hasetins Commodities Limited, the landmark initiative is expected to create over 10,000 jobs nationwide.
Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, described the project as a transformative milestone in President Bola Tinubu’s drive to add value to Nigeria’s vast mineral resources and diversify the economy.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by Hasetins CEO Prince Jidayi and his team on June 23, 2025, Alake emphasized the project’s significance. “This is a defining moment for Nigeria’s mining sector,” he said. “It aligns perfectly with the President’s vision to convert raw minerals into processed wealth for our people.”
Hasetins currently operates a 6,000-metric-tonne facility and plans to expand capacity to 18,000 metric tonnes with the new plant. The company also aims to establish regional separation hubs and implement community development programs. Alake praised the project’s integration of early-stage beneficiation, which he said would empower artisanal miners and stimulate local economies.
Prince Jidayi credited government reforms—such as the deployment of mining marshals and streamlined licensing—for creating a conducive investment climate. “We’re not just building a plant,” he noted, “we’re investing in people, safety, and sustainability.”
Hasetins, a specialist in high-tech and defence-critical metals including rare earths and Platinum Group Metals, says the plant will catalyze Nigeria’s industrial transformation.
