Nigeria has taken great steps to increase Manufacturing of Technological products such as Electric Vehicle Battery, MotherBoards, Panels and other electrical materials. This comes as the Nigerian government announced the discovery of Large Untapped Platinum, Lithium and other rare earth metals in Kaduna State.
The government says the newly identified mineral province could strengthen Nigeria’s position in the global market for critical minerals used in clean energy and advanced manufacturing.
The Federal Government announced the discovery of what it described as a world-class polymetallic mineral province in Kaduna State containing deposits of platinum group metals, gold, nickel, copper, lithium and rare earth elements.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, disclosed this on Wednesday at the opening of the African Natural Resources and Energy Investment Summit (AFNIS) 2026 in Abuja.
Mr Alake said the discovery was verified by the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) and represents one of the most significant developments in Nigeria’s mining sector in recent years.
According to him, the mineral province was identified through exploration conducted by a private company with support from the geological agency.
He said the deposits contain strategic minerals that are increasingly in demand globally for clean energy technologies, battery production and advanced manufacturing.
“The province is notable for significant deposits of gold, nickel, copper, lithium and rare earth elements of exceptionally high grades, positioning Nigeria among emerging destinations for strategic mineral resources and sustainable mining investment,” he added.
Mr Alake said the discovery comes amid efforts by the federal government to reposition the mining sector as a major contributor to economic growth and industrialization.
He said the government is also seeking to move away from exporting raw minerals by requiring mining lease applicants to submit plans for local processing and value addition.
He also highlighted that the policy has contributed to growing investment in lithium processing facilities and mineral refining projects across the country.
Among the projects cited by the minister are an $800 million lithium processing investment, a $600 million lithium processing facility in Nasarawa State, a $200 million lithium plant near Abuja awaiting commissioning and a $1 billion iron ore-to-steel project in Kogi State.
The minister said revenue generated from the mining sector has increased significantly since the reforms began.
According to him, annual revenue rose from about N6 billion before the current administration took office to more than N38 billion in 2024 and exceeded N70 billion by the end of 2025.
The announcement coincided with the unveiling of an estimated 3.3 million metric tonnes of lithium reserves by Steron Mining and Company Limited during a tour of its mining site in Abuja for summit participants.
Also speaking, the company’s geologist, Bello Damulak, said exploration and drilling activities have identified total mineral resources of about 94.8 million metric tonnes at the site.
According to him, this includes an estimated 3.3 million metric tonnes of lithium reserves and about 91.4 million metric tonnes of granite rock.
