Northeast Nigeria Encouraged to Leverage Mineral Wealth for Economic Development

Government officials and residents of Northeast Nigeria have been called upon to implement policies, innovations, and programs aimed at maximizing the region's abundant mineral resources. This appeal was made by stakeholders and organizers of the North East 2025 African Mineral Summit & Exhibition during its opening ceremony in Yola, Adamawa State.

Held at Lelewal Hotel, the summit seeks to connect agriculture with the solid mineral value chain through grassroots productivity models, financial inclusion, investment opportunities, export trade integration, capacity building, and business networking. The event also introduced an African Mineral Rating & Exchange platform to facilitate resource evaluation and trade.

The high attendance of participants from across the Northeast and beyond underscores the summit's importance. Prof. Bashir Aliyu, the event's chairman, emphasized the region's rich mineral deposits and the need to harness these resources for economic growth. Stakeholders echoed this sentiment, highlighting the summit's potential to improve livelihoods and unlock the region's economic prospects.

Adamawa State Commissioner for Commerce, Trade, and Industry, Ishaya John Dabari, praised the initiative as timely and expressed optimism about its positive impact on the Northeast and Nigeria as a whole.

Summit organizer John Pakka, during his presentation on the Grassroots Economic Development Model, advocated for full land utilization to integrate agriculture and solid mineral value chains. He pointed out the underuse of agricultural and mineral resources, stressing that their effective exploitation could address financial challenges in the region. Pakka also criticized the lack of technological innovation and supportive policies, urging the government to invest in sustainable resource management solutions.

The summit attracted international participants from Ghana, Niger, Togo, and other neighboring countries, highlighting its regional significance. Notable minerals in the Northeast include agate, copper ore, monazite, tantalum, quartz, and aluminum.

With robust stakeholder engagement and a focus on economic transformation, the North East 2025 African Mineral Summit & Exhibition is set to drive impactful policies and investments that could reshape the region's industrial and economic landscape.

Sunday Joseph