The Federal Government has announced the discovery of a world-class polymetallic mineral province in Kaduna State containing significant deposits of lithium, platinum group metals, gold, nickel, copper and rare earth elements, in what officials describe as one of the biggest breakthroughs in Nigeria’s mining sector.
Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, disclosed the discovery during the opening of the 5th African Natural Resources and Energy Investment Summit (AFNIS 2026) in Abuja.
According to the minister, the discovery was verified by the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) following extensive exploration activities, confirming the presence of exceptionally high-grade strategic minerals that are in growing global demand for electric vehicles, renewable energy technologies and advanced manufacturing.
Alake described the development as a major milestone in the Federal Government’s drive to diversify the economy away from crude oil and position Nigeria as a leading destination for critical mineral investments.
He explained that the discovery was made through collaboration between a private exploration company and the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency, adding that the new mineral province has the potential to attract billions of dollars in investment, create thousands of jobs and stimulate local industrial development.
The minister urged both local and foreign investors to take advantage of the opportunities in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector, assuring them of the Federal Government’s commitment to transparent regulation, local value addition, technology transfer and sustainable mining practices.
He stressed that the Tinubu administration remains committed to transforming Nigeria’s abundant mineral resources into catalysts for economic growth, industrialisation and increased government revenue through responsible exploitation and value-added processing.
