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The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has announced plans to unlock the potential of solid minerals to drive economic growth and development in Nigeria.
The Executive Director/CEO of NEPC Mrs. Nonye Ayeni made this known in her keynote address in a seminar on Thursday, in Benin.
The theme of the event was “Strategic Engagement on Formalization/Standardization of Solid Minerals Development for Export Competitiveness”
Ayeni, represented by Andrew Okhiulu, the Edo coordinator NEPC, emphasized the importance of formalizing and standardizing the solid minerals sector to boost economic growth and development.
Ayeni said the NEPC’s initiative is expected to contribute to the growth and development of the solid minerals sector, which is richly endowed in Nigeria, particularly in Edo, with deposits of kaolin clay, limestone, gypsum, marble, granite, feldspar, dolomite, iron ore, and lignite.
She highlighted the potential of the solid minerals sector in driving economic diversification and job creation, particularly in rural areas where artisanal mining activities are significant sources of livelihood.
The Council recognizes the contributions of the solid minerals sector to non-oil exports portfolio and the tremendous opportunities in achieving greater economic potentials through this intervention.
At a time when global economic trends challenge our traditional revenue streams. There has never been a better moment to reassess and rejuvenate our approach to economic diversification through the solid minerals sector.
She noted that the sector is faced with numerous challenges, including informality, lack of funding, and inadequate mining technology.
She proposed the establishment of state-supported cooperatives to integrate artisanal miners, capacity training on sustainable extraction and safety, and the development of a mineral processing center/facility to add value to raw materials.
Ayeni also emphasized the need for skills revolution, land reclamation policies, and water treatment protocols to ensure ethical mining practices that can attract premium global markets.
The Edo Coordinator of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mr Andrew Okhiulu, represented by Chief trade Promotion Officer, Oyinkan Duke, said the seminar is aimed to bring together policymakers, miners, processors, exporters, and other stakeholders to deliberate on practical strategies.
He said practical strategies would enhanced the formalization of operations, improve product quality, and ensure that solid minerals meet global market standards.
The Coordinator emphasized the importance of addressing key challenges facing the sector, such as informality, poor value addition, weak regulatory compliance, and lack of standardization.
He noted that the NEPC’s mandate is to diversify Nigeria’s export base by promoting and facilitating the development of non-oil exports.
The Coordinator encouraged participants to make the seminar a highly interactive session, sharing their insights, experiences, and recommendations to shape actionable policies and frameworks that will drive the sustainable growth of the sector.
On his part, the Commissioner for Mining, Oil and Gas, Andrew Ijegbai represented by the Director of Mining, Ihianle Omoruyi commended the organisers of the event, saying what the country needs at this time is the development of the mining sector.
He revealed that the Edo Government has floated and secured a licence for a mining company, and called for investors to take advantage of the window of opportunity.
And assured that the government is putting strategies in place to bring together informal miners into cooperatives for development and to reduce insecurity
The seminar, which brought together policymakers, miners, processors, exporters, and other stakeholders,
It is aimed to deliberate on practical strategies to enhance the formalization of operations, improve product quality, and ensure that solid minerals meet global market standards.
