The Nigerian Society of Economic Geologists (NSEG) has said that Nigeria’s ambition should extend beyond exporting unprocessed minerals.
President of the NSEG, Abdulrasaq Garba, made the call on Monday in Kaduna, at the society’s 5th Annual International Conference and Exhibition.
The conference has the theme “Unlocking the Earth’s Mineral Potential; Innovation and Discovery for Future Resources”.
Garba said for economic prosperity, Nigeria must work towards developing the technical capacity, infrastructure, skills workforce and industrial partnerships required to retain greater value within the Nigerian economy.
Garba explained that the event aimed at confronting the challenges, opportunities, future and diversification of the nation’s economy.
He said the conference aimed to strengthen the industrial base and establish itself as a significant participant in the global minerals economy.
Garba noted that economic geologists occupy a critical position in the mineral development value chain, adding that they provide the scientific foundation required for valuable mineral projects through structural controls, geochemistry, geophysics, and ore-forming mechanisms.
The president highlighted key achievements of the society over the years, including the inauguration of the Ibadan and Abuja zonal chapters which aimed at bringing the society’s professional activities closer to members across the country.
He disclosed that the first volume of the ‘bulletin of economic geology’, has been completed and would soon be available online as part of efforts to boost intellectual capacity development.
Garba further acknowledged collaborations with the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS) and other bodies.
He stated that they contributed in organising the 10th Short Course on African Metallogeny of the Society for Geology Applied to Mineral Deposits(SGA) in Ibadan.
The president emphasised that Nigeria must avoid an approach driven by market excitement, calling for transparent, environmentally responsible pathways for mineral production and value addition.
He appreciated donors, supporters, partners, sponsors, individuals and benefactors for their continued contribution to the growth of the professional community.
Speaking at the conference, the Gov. Uba Sani of Kaduna State said the conference would promote diversification, industrialisation, job creation, and sustainable development.
Sani, represented by the Commissioner for Environment, Abubakar Buba, said Nigeria is richly endowed with mineral resources and needs collective ability to transform the resources into economic opportunity and improve livelihoods for the people.
“As a government, we recognise the solid mineral sector as a strategic driver of economic growth.
“We must therefore promote responsible exploration, attract credible investment, encourage local mineral processing and value addition”, he said.
Sani added that regulatory institutions must be strengthened and infrastructure developed to support a competitive mining industry.
He said that Kaduna State is strategically positioned to contribute to such national aspiration, adding that the vast mineral resources present a political opportunity for investment in exploration, mining processing, and mineral-based industries.
According to him, unlocking the mineral potential must go beyond revenue generation.
He said it must create employment for youths, stimulate local businesses, improve community livelihoods, and contribute to the development of the state and nation at large.
He stressed the importance of the need to protect the environment, promote community participation, and ensure that the benefits of mining are shared equitably.
Sani urged participants to engage constructively and ensure that the outcome translates into concrete action and sustainable investment for the nation.
He reiterated the Kaduna State Government’s commitment to working with the federal government, private investors, development partners, and host communities to create an enabling environment for responsible and sustainable mining operations.
In a goodwill message, the Emir of Zazzau, Ahmad Bamalli, represented by the Waziri of Zazzau, Khadi Aminu, called on stakeholders in the mining sector to ensure transparency and regulation of mineral exploration activities.
Bamalli stressed that Nigeria is heavily endowed with mineral resources capable of driving economic development.
He said the current framework leaves much of the sector vulnerable to crude and illicit practices.
He expressed deep concern over regular reports from district and village heads regarding unauthorised miners displacing local residents from their ancestral lands.
“We must insist on mining activities to be properly controlled and regulated. What we see now is a sort of crude way of mining; it should be eliminated,” he said.
Bamalli emphasised that residents and locals must not be forced to vacate and run away from their homes to give room for unregulated operators.
He advised against sectional interests dictating the scope of mineral investigations, emphasising that national unity and compliance with due process must take precedence over regional friction.
He urged economic geologists and policy experts to formulate concrete resolutions that would bridge the gap between commercial mining and host community welfare.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that honorary fellowship was conferred on the D-G of the National Steel and Raw Materials Exploration Agency (NSRMEA), among other individuals at the event.
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