Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has called for increased investment in solid mineral exploration, processing and value addition to accelerate industrialisation, create jobs and reduce Nigeria’s dependence on traditional sources of revenue.
The governor made the call on Sunday at the opening of the fifth Annual International Conference and Exhibition of the Nigerian Society of Economic Geologists (NSEG) in Kaduna.
Represented by the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Abubakar Buba, Sani said Nigeria could unlock the economic potential of its mineral resources through responsible exploration, modern technology, credible investment and stronger local processing capacity.
He noted that Kaduna State was strategically positioned to contribute to the development of the country’s solid minerals sector through investments in exploration, mining, processing and mineral-based industries.
According to the governor, mineral development should extend beyond revenue generation to create employment opportunities for young people, support local businesses and improve the living conditions of communities hosting mining activities.
Sani also stressed the importance of environmental protection, community participation and the fair distribution of the benefits derived from mining operations.
The four-day conference, which runs from October 18 to 21, 2026, is themed “Unlocking the Earth’s Mineral Potential: Innovation and Discovery for Future Resources.”
In his welcome address, the President of NSEG, Professor Samuel Olobaniyi, urged Nigeria to reduce its reliance on exporting unprocessed mineral resources by developing the technical expertise, infrastructure and industrial partnerships needed to retain more value within the country.
Olobaniyi said economic geologists played a crucial role in identifying commercially viable mineral deposits, improving resource assessments and providing reliable information to guide investment decisions in the mining industry.
He called for increased funding for technical development, infrastructure and skilled manpower, noting that sustainable mineral development required accurate geological data, proper resource evaluation and environmentally responsible mining practices.
Also speaking at the event, the President of the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS), Rose Chundung Ndong, advocated stronger collaboration among professional organisations, government agencies, academic institutions and private-sector operators to accelerate the growth of the solid minerals industry.
Ndong identified remote sensing, geographic information systems, advanced geophysical techniques, digital geological databases and artificial intelligence as important tools for improving the accuracy and cost-effectiveness of mineral exploration.
She explained that the availability of mineral deposits alone was insufficient to guarantee economic growth without reliable geological information, adequate funding, supportive government policies and a skilled workforce.
The conference brings together industry professionals and other stakeholders to discuss innovations, investment opportunities and strategies for developing Nigeria’s mineral resources.
The call for increased investment comes amid efforts to diversify the Nigerian economy, strengthen domestic industries and expand employment opportunities beyond the oil and gas sector.
Stakeholders at the conference emphasised that greater investment in geological research, modern exploration technologies and local mineral processing could help Nigeria increase the economic returns from its natural resources while supporting sustainable development.
