Nigeria has announced the discovery of two significant mineral deposits, reinforcing its ambition to become a leading supplier of critical minerals. Speaking at a summit in Abuja, Minister of Solid Minerals Development Dele Alake said geological surveys unearthed a major polymetallic mineral province, with significant deposits of platinum group metals, gold, nickel, copper, lithium, and rare earth elements, in Kaduna State and an estimated 3.3 million metric tons of lithium reserves near Abuja. The discoveries come as global demand intensifies for minerals critical to electric vehicles, renewable energy, and semiconductor manufacturing. While Nigeria holds substantial untapped mineral wealth, the sector has historically contributed little to GDP compared with crude oil. If developed successfully, officials say the discoveries could position the country as a key supplier of strategic minerals and help reduce its long-standing dependence on oil revenue.
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