Geologists’ Conference: Uba Sani Seeks Investment In Solid Minerals

Kaduna State governor, Senator Uba Sani, has called for massive investment in solid mineral exploration, processing and value addition to drive industrialisation, diversify Nigeria’s economy and create jobs.

The governor made the call yesterday at the opening of the fifth Annual International Conference and Exhibition of the Nigerian Society of Economic Geologists (NSEG) in Kaduna.

Represented by the commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Alhaji Abubakar Buba, the governor said Nigeria’s mineral wealth could contribute significantly to national development if supported by responsible exploration, credible investment, modern technology and local processing capacity.

Sani said Kaduna State was strategically positioned to contribute to Nigeria’s mineral development through investment in exploration, mining, processing and mineral-based industries.

The governor stressed that mineral development should go beyond revenue generation to create employment opportunities for young people, stimulate local businesses and improve the livelihoods of mining communities.

He also emphasised the need to protect the environment, encourage community participation and ensure that the benefits of mining were shared equitably.

The four-day conference, holding from October 18 to 21, 2026, has the theme, “Unlocking the Earth’s Mineral Potential: Innovation and Discovery for Future Resources.”

In his welcome address, NSEG president, Professor Samuel Olobaniyi, called on Nigeria to move beyond exporting unprocessed minerals and develop the technical capacity, infrastructure and industrial partnerships needed to retain more economic value from its mineral resources.

Olobaniyi said economic geologists played a critical role in identifying viable mineral deposits, improving resource assessments and supporting investment in the mining industry.

He called for increased investment in technical capacity, infrastructure and skilled manpower, adding that mineral development should be based on reliable geological information, proper resource evaluation and environmentally responsible production.

Also speaking, president of the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS), Mrs Rose Chundung Ndong, called for stronger collaboration among professional bodies, government agencies, academic institutions and private-sector operators to accelerate the development of the solid minerals sector.

Ndong identified remote sensing, geographic information systems, advanced geophysical methods, digital geological databases and artificial intelligence as technologies that could improve the accuracy and cost-effectiveness of mineral exploration.

She said mineral deposits alone could not guarantee economic growth without reliable geological data, adequate investment, supportive policies and a skilled workforce.