The Federal Government has announced the discovery of a major polymetallic mineral in Kaduna State, containing deposits of platinum group metals, gold, nickel, copper, lithium, and rare earth elements.
Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, made the disclosure on Wednesday at the opening of the fifth African Natural Resources and Energy Investment Summit, AFNIS 2026, held at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja.
The summit was themed “One Africa, One Resource Vision.”
Alake said it was the first time the discovery was being made public, and that the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency had verified the find following exploration by a private company working with the agency. He described the grades as exceptionally high.
He further said that this has positioned Nigeria among emerging global destinations for strategic minerals increasingly sought after for clean energy technologies and advanced manufacturing.
The news came on the same day that indigenous firm Steron Mining and Company Limited revealed it had identified about 3.3 million metric tonnes of lithium reserves at its Abuja mining site.
The company’s geologist put total mineral resources at the site at around 94.8 million metric tonnes.
Mining revenue has jumped from roughly six billion naira before the current administration’s reforms to over 70 billion naira by end of 2025.
The government has also revoked more than 3,000 dormant mining licences to clear the way for serious investors.
Alake said, Nigeria is done just digging and shipping raw minerals out. The focus now is on processing locally and building long-term value.
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