Nigeria is blessed with solid mineral deposits, coal, lithium, gold, bitumen, limestone and baryte etc are in abundance but remain untapped due to over-reliance on oil. Every geopolitical zone is peculiar for its mineral deposits.
Interestingly, there have been persistent calls for increased funding for solid mineral exploration in Nigeria. Over the last eight years the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) has doubled its search for solid minerals to diversify Nigeria’s economy from over-dependence on oil.
Recall that in November 2023, the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) commissioned a technical team to conduct hydro-geochemical survey of Sokoto and it’s environ to ascertain and explore solid mineral deposits.
To track the progress of data collection to serve as a guide for economic planning and interventions, hence the call for civil society engagement. The National Coordinator, Great Minds Initiative For Empowerment and Social Development, Amb. Myke Ngbe undertook the monitoring and evaluation report to deepen civil society/stakeholders engagement.
Presenting the report of the monitoring and evaluation to the DG of Nigerian Geological Survey Agency Dr Abdulrazaq Garba, Amb. Myke Ngbe noted, “I am glad to announce today that we now have a credible, reliable and verifiable set of baseline data for the hydro-geochemical survey of Sokoto and it’s environs–which represents the current quality of ground water in the state. He thereafter called for increased funding of the agency to redouble efforts of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to diversify the Nigerian economy.
Responding the DG of Nigerian Geological Survey Agency Dr Abdulrazaq Garba, enumerated some of the challenges experienced in solid mineral exploration and promised to accelerate growth in the sector.
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