Hauwa Gidado, Abuja
The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has called on the Nigerian government to give urgent and strategic attention to the development of the mining sector in northern Nigeria, describing it as a major catalyst for industrial growth, job creation, and improved livelihoods.
Speaking at the maiden edition of the Northern Nigeria Investment and Industrialisation Summit held in Abuja, the nation’s capital, NEF Chairman, Professor Ango Abdullahi, said the region’s vast mineral resources remain largely untapped despite their potential to transform the North’s economic fortunes.
“Imagine the multiplier effect, industrial growth, job creation, poverty reduction, and renewed prosperity for our people, if mining is properly harnessed, linked to value chains, and supported by strong infrastructure,” Professor Abdullahi said.
The summit, themed “Unlocking Northern Nigeria’s Mining, Agricultural and Power Potentials (MAP2035),” was described by Abdullahi as more than a policy talk shop but rather a “10-year blueprint for the region’s socio-economic transformation.”
He emphasised that the mining sector, when properly developed and integrated with value-added processing, could rival agriculture and other traditional sectors in terms of economic impact.
Vast Resources, Limited Infrastructure
While the North boasts abundant solid minerals, fertile land, and a large pool of human capital, Professor Abdullahi noted that strengthening infrastructure, such as railways, roads, electricity, and storage facilities, would unlock its full economic potential.
“Northern Nigeria is rich, not just in natural resources but in human capacity. But without deliberate, well-implemented policies and supporting infrastructure, this potential will remain untapped,” he said.
Historical Context
Professor Abdullahi placed the forum’s call within a historical framework, recalling the North’s industrial strength during the 1960s and 1970s.
“Back then, cotton, groundnuts, and tobacco anchored the economy, while the oil boom of the 1970s drove investments that turned cities like Kano and Kaduna into industrial hubs for textiles, leather, and food processing,” he said.
A Renewed Call for Action
The Northern Elders Forum believes that the revitalisation of mining, backed by clear government policy, could reignite the North’s economic engine and make a significant contribution to Nigeria’s national development.
“We believe meaningful impact will only come when mining and its associated industries are given the clear policy priority they deserve,” the NEF Chairman emphasised.
The summit concluded with a call for collaborative efforts between the government, the private sector, and development partners to implement the MAP2035 strategy and unlock the North’s full economic potential.