By Ibrahim Hassan-Wuyo

Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has commended the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) and the Kaduna Mining Development Company for bringing together miners, processors, exporters, investors, and regulatory bodies, emphasizing the need for collaboration to unlock the vast potential of the solid minerals sector.

Speaking at the opening of a strategic meeting on the development of solid minerals clusters for export competitiveness in Kaduna on Tuesday, Governor Sani—represented by the Commissioner for Business, Innovation and Technology, Patience Fakai—reiterated the state government’s commitment to developing the solid minerals sector and advancing Nigeria’s broader economic diversification agenda.

He noted that Kaduna is richly endowed with solid minerals, including gold, tin, lithium, and gemstones, which, if properly harnessed, could drive sustainable development, create jobs, and enhance export capacity.

“Aggregation and clustering are not just buzzwords; they are proven strategies to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve market access. By establishing these centers, we can reduce fragmentation, promote value addition, and position Kaduna as a key player in the global minerals market,” he said.

Governor Sani stressed that the state government has implemented policies to streamline licensing, improve infrastructure, and foster public-private partnerships, creating a conducive environment for investments.

“Government alone cannot achieve these goals. We need the active participation of all stakeholders—miners, investors, processors, and regulators—to transform our mineral wealth into shared prosperity,” he said.

“To our investors, both local and international: Kaduna State is open for business. We offer not only rich mineral deposits but also a stable, investor-friendly climate. To miners and processors: we urge the adoption of modern, sustainable techniques that meet global standards. And to regulators: we count on your support in ensuring compliance and fairness,” he added.

Also speaking at the event, the Executive Director of NEPC, Mrs. Nonye Ayeni, emphasized that while Nigeria is blessed with abundant solid minerals, the sector faces significant challenges such as informal operations, inadequate funding, outdated technology, lack of quality standards, and insufficient geological data.

She explained that the NEPC’s mandate is to promote the development and diversification of Nigeria’s export trade. “Today’s engagement is crucial—it provides a platform to share ideas and encourage value addition through a cluster mechanism,” Ayeni said.

She noted the Council’s recognition of the solid minerals sector’s contribution to non-oil exports and urged stakeholders to take full advantage of the forum to strengthen their operations.

Mrs. Ayeni also highlighted a key resolution from the 16th National Council on Commerce, Trade, and Investment, held in Lagos in May 2025, which approved the inclusion of solid minerals in the One State, One Product (OSOP) initiative. It also endorsed the participation of solid minerals operators and agencies in state-level export promotion committees.

She called on the Kaduna State Export Promotion Committee to implement this resolution for effective inclusion of solid minerals stakeholders.

In his remarks, the Kaduna State Coordinator of NEPC, Mallam Kabir Yusuf, emphasized that solid minerals are present in all 23 local government areas of the state. He noted that establishing solid minerals clusters and aggregation centers would unlock the full potential of these resources, generate employment, and boost the state’s internally generated revenue (IGR).