Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has called for significantly increased investment in solid mineral exploration, processing and value addition as a means to drive economic diversification, industrialisation and job creation across the state. Sani made the appeal on Monday through Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources Abubakar Buba, who represented him at the opening of the fifth Annual International Conference and Exhibition of the Nigerian Society of Economic Geologists in Kaduna. The four-day conference, running from October 18 to October 21, carries the theme "Unlocking the Earth's Mineral Potential: Innovation and Discovery for Future Resources."
The governor emphasised that Nigeria's substantial mineral resources could make a major contribution to national development if backed by responsible exploration, modern technology, credible investment and local processing capacity. He said the true value of mineral wealth lay not simply in what lay underground, but in the ability to convert those resources into economic opportunity and improve living standards. Sani highlighted that Kaduna State was well-positioned to contribute to the mining sector's growth, citing the state's mineral resources and investment opportunities in exploration, processing and mineral-based industries. He pledged that his administration would work with the Federal Government, private investors, development partners and host communities to establish an enabling environment for sustainable mining operations.
The governor stressed that mineral development should deliver benefits beyond government revenue, particularly through job creation for young people, stimulation of local businesses and improved living conditions in mining communities. He urged conference participants to use the event to attract investments, strengthen partnerships and develop practical solutions for the sector while maintaining environmental protection and ensuring equitable benefits for host communities.
Prof. Samuel Olobaniyi, President of the Nigerian Society of Economic Geologists, said Nigeria must shift from simply possessing mineral potential to systematically discovering, proving, developing and adding value to mineral resources. He warned against allowing market enthusiasm to guide mineral development, insisting instead that the sector be guided by reliable geological information, proper resource evaluation and environmentally responsible production. Olobaniyi called for increased investment in technical expertise, infrastructure and industrial partnerships to enable Nigeria to retain greater economic benefits from its mineral resources.
Rose Chundung Ndong, President of the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society, called for stronger collaboration among professional bodies, government agencies, academic institutions and private-sector operators to accelerate solid minerals sector development. She identified remote sensing, geographic information systems, advanced geophysical methods, digital geological databases and artificial intelligence as tools capable of improving mineral exploration accuracy and efficiency. Ndong emphasised that mineral deposits alone could not guarantee economic growth without reliable geological data, adequate investment, supportive policies, responsible mining practices and a skilled workforce.
Prof. Olusegun Adeloye, Director-General of the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency, pledged the agency's continued support for geological research, reliable geoscientific data generation and evidence-based decision-making in the mining sector. Stakeholders at the conference collectively called for increased investment, technological innovation, effective regulation and local processing to position the sector as a driver of economic diversification, industrial growth and employment.