Kwara State has secured a major economic victory with the takeoff of two foreign investments valued at $35 million, signaling a significant leap in Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq's industrialization agenda.

The investments, spearheaded by the Chinese firm ER-KANG Company Limited, include a $20 million lithium processing factory which has already commenced operations and a proposed $15 million pharmaceutical manufacturing plant. The announcement was made during a courtesy visit to the Governor in Ilorin on Wednesday, January 28, 2026.

Sun Qing Rong, Team Lead for ER-KANG, revealed that the lithium factory is already providing employment for over 300 Kwarans. Crucially, the plant focuses on value addition, processing raw lithium into finished materials within the state rather than exporting crude ore. This shift aligns with the federal and state governments' policies on local manufacturing and economic sovereignty.

Regarding the second phase of their investment, Rong disclosed that preparatory work is nearly complete for a pharmaceutical facility. The plant will be developed in two phases:

• Phase 1: Production of large-volume infusions (drips).
• Phase 2: Small-volume injection workshops.

These facilities aim to address the persistent shortage of critical medical consumables in the Nigerian market. Rong also confirmed that ER-KANG would partner with the state on its Industrial Park project, describing Kwara as having an "outstanding investment environment."

Governor AbdulRazaq, who originally initiated these talks during a trade mission to Beijing two years ago, expressed satisfaction with the progress. He noted that the ventures would not only boost the local economy and create sustainable jobs but also facilitate vital technology transfer from China to Kwara State.