ABUJA — The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced a major geological breakthrough with the discovery of a world-class polymetallic mineral province in Kaduna State. The find, confirmed by the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA), includes high-grade deposits of platinum group metals, gold, nickel, copper, lithium, and various rare earth elements.
A Strategic Geological Discovery
Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, made the public announcement during the opening ceremony of the African Natural Resources and Energy Investment Summit (AFNIS 2026) in Abuja on Wednesday, June 24, 2026.
Alake described the Kaduna discovery—made by a private mining firm in collaboration with the NGSA—as a transformative development for Nigeria's mining industry. "The province is notable for significant deposits of gold, nickel, copper, lithium, and rare earth elements of exceptionally high grades, positioning Nigeria among the emerging destinations for strategic mineral resources," the Minister stated.
Boosting Nigeria’s Industrial Value
The announcement comes as the government accelerates its "Value Addition" policy, which mandates that mining companies must process minerals locally before export. This shift is intended to move Nigeria away from a "pit-to-port" model toward one that generates local jobs, technology transfer, and industrial growth.
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To support this objective, the government has:
• Revoked over 3,000 dormant mining titles to discourage speculation and free up assets for capable operators.
• Driven massive investment in midstream and downstream infrastructure, including lithium refineries and iron-ore-to-steel projects, which have collectively garnered billions of dollars in private capital.
• Increased sectoral revenue from approximately ₦6 billion in 2023 to over ₦70 billion by the end of 2025.
Focus on Indigenous Capacity
In conjunction with the summit, delegates toured the Steron Mining and Company Limited site near Abuja. The firm showcased an estimated 3.3 million metric tonnes of lithium reserves alongside nearly 95 million metric tonnes of total mineral resources (including granite). Managing Director Abu Omar highlighted that the company is already conducting local processing to increase lithium purity, directly supporting Nigeria’s push for domestic industrialization.
As Nigeria continues to position itself as a hub for critical minerals, the government reiterated its call for African regional integration. Minister Alake emphasized that "resource ownership must give way to resource strategy," urging African nations to connect their mining assets to cross-border processing and manufacturing corridors to ensure long-term continental prosperity.
