By Dare Akogun
Mohammed Tsadu remembers the days when his family thrived on the booming lithium mining business in Kakafu.
“We used to make at least ₦250,000 every month. Those were times of hope and financial stability,” he recalled.
But that era is over as mining in Kakafu, a remote village in Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State, has ground to a halt.
The once-bustling community, where miners, traders, and security agents once swarmed in search of lithium, a key component in electric vehicle batteries and renewable energy storage systems, now lies eerily quiet.
Tsadu, 25, is one of 30 children from his father’s two wives. He grew up in a household where mining provided not just food on the table but also dreams of a better future.
“Now, we rely solely on farming for survival. Every day reminds us of how quickly fortunes can change,” he said.
Just about a year ago, Kakafu was alive and active. Illegal miners abandoned farming for the lure of quick profits. A plot of farmland that once fetched modest sums was sold for between ₦900,000 and ₦1.5 million to mining companies.
Chinese buyers from Lagos, through their representative, came in droves, paying between ₦60,000 and ₦80,000 per tonne of lithium.
The quick wealth spurred a frenzy; miners splurged on cars, motorcycles, new wives, and big houses.
“We made good money from mining, but we spent recklessly,” said Usman Kpotun, a former miner. “Now, almost everything is gone.”
The boom came crashing down early last year. The buyers stopped coming not because the lithium reserves had dried up but because the global lithium market had slumped.
By February 2025, a tonne of lithium was selling for $20,782, down from a peak of $81,360 in November 2022.
“Even when we cleared bush paths and graded the road to make it easier for the buyers to reach us, they never returned,” said Alhaji Mohammed, a community leader.
Exploitation and Resentment
Community leaders say the downturn was inevitable. “They were exploiting us,” said Mohammed. “We later discovered that they were reselling the lithium for nearly three times what they paid us. When we started demanding better terms, they left.”
The collapse has affected nearby towns like Lade, a major trading post about seven kilometers from Kakafu.
Yakubu Ndatsuwa, a former lithium dealer, said his income has dropped drastically.
“I used to make between ₦1.5 million and ₦3 million monthly from mining. Now, I barely make ₦50,000 from farming and my okada business,” he said.
Yakubu added that over 300 truckloads of lithium bought by Chinese investors remain uncollected in Lade.
“We’re praying for the good old days to return,” he said.
Crackdown on Illegal Miners
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) announced recently that two Chinese Nationals Yang Chao and Wu Shan Chuan, along with their company, Crius Chemical Nigeria Limited, were found guilty of mining without a license in Kwara State.
Justice Abimbola Awogboro of the Federal High Court in Ilorin sentenced them to two years in prison or a ₦1 million fine each.
The company was also fined ₦1 million and ordered to remit ₦14 million in royalties to the federal government.
The court also ordered the forfeiture of all solid minerals found at the company’s premises in Ogun State.
Pic: EFCC
A Legacy of Mixed Fortunes
Despite the abrupt halt, mining left a mark on Kakafu.
Levies paid by miners helped fund community projects, including the construction of a mosque, a hospital, and boreholes for clean water.
“The miners contributed to the community,” said Hon. Ndeji Kakafu, another community leader.
He said the Kakafu community holds an exploration license and hopes to establish a formal mining operation.
“We applied for the license to ensure that mining activities are legal and regulated.
“If we have a proper license, investors will be more willing to engage with us. It will create jobs and bring stability to the community.
“We learned the hard way that mining can transform this community, but only if we do it the right way with proper licensing and fair terms,” he said.
Fatima Gure, who worked as a middlewoman during the mining boom, believes a structured mining company could change the community’s fortunes.
“It will create jobs for people like me and help lift the community economically,” she said.
Despite the downturn, Kakafu remains one of the best mining locations in Nigeria in terms of security and cooperation.
“Everyone involved worked in peace, and the security setup ensured smooth operations,” said Alhaji Mohammed.
As Kakafu waits for a revival, Tsadu and others have returned to farming.
“If the buyers come back, I’ll mine again,” he said. Despite the risks, mining is easier and more rewarding than farming,” he said.
