Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has engaged solid minerals stakeholders on the development and export of Nigeria’s solid minerals and its potential to diversify the economy.
The engagement meeting tagged “Strategic engagement on solid minerals development for export competitiveness” was held in Keffi local government area of Nasarawa State on Wednesday.
Mrs Nonye Ayeni, NEPC Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, said that in spite of the huge potential of solid minerals, the sector was still facing numerous challenges.
She said that the engagement was aimed at proffering a way forward to maximising the potential of solid minerals in the country.
“Some of these challenges include informal activities, lack of funding, inadequate mining technology, lack of quality and standard, insufficient geological data and capacity building to mention a few,” she said.
She added that the meeting was a platform for stakeholders in the solid minerals sector to come together and share ideas towards value addition along the value chain.
“Our strategic priorities include promotion for value addition. We believe that we need to maximize the benefits of export and we must prioritise value addition across solid minerals value chain.
“This will not only increase export earnings but also create more jobs as well as foreign exchange earnings for us as a nation and for our respective businesses.
”Secondly, we believe in strengthening export capacity. Thirdly we believe in provision of market access,” Ayeni, who was NEPC represented by Mr Samson Idowu, a director in the council, added.
She assured stakeholders that NEPC was committed to enhancing the value chain of solid minerals sector for global market.
Ayeni added that the council would establish mineral clusters among others through effective participation and collaboration with the federal and states ministries of solid minerals.
In his remarks, Mr Aliyu Orji, NEPC Nasarawa state Coordinator, said the event was important and critical currently in Nigeria in its drive towards non-oil revenue.
“Nasarawa State is endowed with various solid minerals and is poised to become a major hub for solid minerals value addition.
”The state is home to the biggest lithium processing plant in the country,” Orji, who was represented by Dr Itodo Daniel, an officer of the council in the state, said.
He added that solid minerals development was critical in Nigeria’s economic diversification agenda and NEPC would continue to work with critical stakeholders to reposition the sector.
This, he said, would be through exportation of value added solid minerals products to significantly increase its contribution to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product.
Prof. Adesoji Adesugba, President, Geological Institute of Nigeria, who was represented by Mrs Titilayo Ibitoye, said the engagement represents a pivotal moment in the shared commitment to unlocking the potential of Nigeria’s solid minerals sector.
“As key stakeholders, we recognise the immense wealth beneath our soil and the even greater value that can be realised through expertise, structured development, and strategic collaboration.
“The gemstones and broader solid minerals industry offer not only economic opportunity but also a pathway to job creation, youth empowerment, and sustainable diversification of Nigeria’s economy.
“To harness this potential, we must strengthen partnerships across the value chain—from miners and processors to marketers, exporters, and our local communities.
”We commend NEPC for providing this platform for meaningful dialogue, innovation, and shared purpose.
“We look forward to exchanging ideas, learning from one another, and working hand in hand to position Nigeria as a globally competitive hub for high-value solid minerals export,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that meeting resolved that stakeholders should be members of State Committee on Export Promotion and states should adopt at least one solid mineral for promotion.
