One big geological breakthrough for Kaduna State, wey get world-class deposits of high-grade gold, nickel, copper, and lithium, don make Nigeria become top global destination for strategic minerals, wey fit open door for massive $20 trillion investment engine.

Di Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, talk dis one during im opening address for di 5th African Natural Resources and Energy Investment Summit (AFNIS), wey hold for Presidential Villa for Abuja.

As e dey lead im address with di recent exploration milestones wey Nigerian Geological Survey Department don verify, Alake announce say di newly discovered polymetallic mineral province for Kaduna don create wetin government dey call “geological solid engine” for national growth.

“Recent exploration breakthroughs don confirm one world-class polymetallic mineral province for Kaduna State and plenty world-class platinum group precious and critical metal deposits, wey get big-time deposits of gold, nickel, copper, lithium, and rare elements of exceptionally high grade,” Alake declare.

E reveal say di sector financial performance don grow geometrically under dis current government, wey shoot up from about $6 billion for 2023, cross half-billion mark for new generations during 2024, and dem project say e go cross $17 billion mark by end of 2025.

Alake stress say Naija and di whole African continent dey move away from di old “extract and export” model, wey don leave local economies with depleted resources and few jobs. Di new policy mandate dey require local processing and value addition before any mineral export go get approval.