https://en.sputniknews.africa/20250712/africas-untapped-goldmine-why-nigerias-mining-sector-is-the-next-big-deal-1075427604.html
Africa’s Untapped Goldmine: Why Nigeria’s Mining Sector is the Next Big Deal
Africa’s Untapped Goldmine: Why Nigeria’s Mining Sector is the Next Big Deal
Sputnik Africa
Africa’s mineral wealth is gaining renewed global attention, and Nigeria sits at a turning point. With vast reserves of lithium, gold, and other high-demand... 12.07.2025, Sputnik Africa
2025-07-12T14:00+0200
2025-07-12T14:00+0200
2025-07-12T14:00+0200
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Africa’s Untapped Goldmine: Why Nigeria’s Mining Sector is the Next Big Deal
Sputnik Africa
Africa’s mineral wealth is gaining renewed global attention, and Nigeria sits at a turning point. With vast reserves of lithium, gold, and other high-demand resources, the country’s bold policy reforms and growing focus on local processing could reposition its mining sector as a cornerstone of sustainable, industrial-driven development.
Once eclipsed by oil and gas, Nigeria’s mining sector is undergoing a quiet but ambitious transformation. Government-led policy reforms, rising global demand for critical minerals like lithium, and renewed investor interest are combining to shift the narrative. If sustained, these reforms could spark a new era of value addition, job creation, and industrial development.In an interview with Global South Pole, Dr. Irmiya Samson Amoka, a mining and geo-resources specialist and Executive Director of EchoGems Consult Limited, Nigeria, underscored the importance of moving beyond raw mineral exports. He argued that Nigeria has both the resources and the manufacturing potential to lead in downstream industries, especially in battery production and mineral refining.Still, he was careful to note that optimism must be grounded in action. He pointed out that while Nigeria’s policies and reforms are sound on paper, their real value depends on how consistently they’re implemented. Sustained political will, stable governance, and a commitment to follow-through, he implied, will be critical to success.To listen to the whole discussion, tune in to the Global South Pole podcast, brought to you by Sputnik Africa.In addition to the website, you can also catch our episodes on Telegram.► You can also listen to our podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Deezer, Castbox, Pocket Casts, Afripods, Podcast Addict, Overcast, and Mave Stream.► Check out all the episodes of Global South Pole.
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economy, nigeria, africa, russia-africa cooperation, mining, minerals, lithium, cobalt, podcasts, democratic republic of the congo (drc), gold, policy, technology, digital technology , innovation, resources, exploitation, oil, аудио
economy, nigeria, africa, russia-africa cooperation, mining, minerals, lithium, cobalt, podcasts, democratic republic of the congo (drc), gold, policy, technology, digital technology , innovation, resources, exploitation, oil, аудио
Africa’s Untapped Goldmine: Why Nigeria’s Mining Sector is the Next Big Deal
Aliyu Bello
Correspondent, Podcast Host
Africa’s mineral wealth is gaining renewed global attention, and Nigeria sits at a turning point. With vast reserves of lithium, gold, and other high-demand resources, the country’s bold policy reforms and growing focus on local processing could reposition its mining sector as a cornerstone of sustainable, industrial-driven development.
Once eclipsed by oil and gas, Nigeria’s mining sector is undergoing a quiet but ambitious transformation. Government-led policy reforms, rising global demand for critical minerals like lithium, and renewed investor interest are combining to shift the narrative. If sustained, these reforms could spark a new era of value addition, job creation, and industrial development.
In an interview with Global South Pole, Dr. Irmiya Samson Amoka, a mining and geo-resources specialist and Executive Director of EchoGems Consult Limited, Nigeria, underscored the importance of moving beyond raw mineral exports. He argued that Nigeria has both the resources and the manufacturing potential to lead in downstream industries, especially in battery production and mineral refining.
“We should prioritize processing and refining of minerals locally, instead of raw mineral exports. And then, of course, we can develop downstream industries. For example, if we are thinking of the critical minerals like lithium, we could set up battery production companies. We [can] encourage local investors to go into this. And I think we can do that. We have a lot of manufacturing efforts in various parts of this country that we know, […] And then in terms of regulation and resource control, the country must enforce strict environmental and social governance to prevent exploitation by foreign companies,” Dr. Amoka expressed.
Still, he was careful to note that optimism must be grounded in action. He pointed out that while Nigeria’s policies and reforms are sound on paper, their real value depends on how consistently they’re implemented. Sustained political will, stable governance, and a commitment to follow-through, he implied, will be critical to success.
To listen to the whole discussion, tune in to the Global South Pole podcast, brought to you by Sputnik Africa.
In addition to the website, you can also catch our episodes on
Telegram.► Check out all the episodes of Global South Pole. 
