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Nigeria’s solid minerals wealth valued at $750bn, says Alake
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The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, disclosed on Monday that Nigeria currently possesses a deposit of mineral products worth $750 billion.
The minister revealed this at a two-day national stakeholders’ roundtable on sustainable development of the mining industry organised by the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies with the theme “Sustainable Development of the Mining Industry in Nigeria” in Abuja.
Alake, who noted that the government is working to ensure the country becomes an investor’s destination in solid minerals development, revealed that preliminary reports by a German firm, GeoScan, indicated that the nation is blessed with minerals worth a conservative amount of $750 billion.
The summit, organised in partnership with Bruit Costaud, was to brainstorm possible solutions to the issues faced in the mining sector.
Speaking in his address, Alake said the mining sector has the potential to contribute a large part of the nation’s goal of achieving a trillion-dollar economy, as pushed by the current administration.
He said this is the reason for the insistence on pursuing local value addition in products mined in the country.
He, however, said the availability of data is important to attract investors that will establish plants in Nigeria to process the minerals and create a multiplier effect on job creation and growth in the economy.
Alake said, “We are working with the World Bank, Excalibur and GeoScan, a German company, to get the necessary data on the sector. That is why the federal government signed a memorandum of understanding with Geoscan and they did a preliminary survey of our minerals on the output and potential. They gave us a figure of $750 billion worth of minerals embedded under the ground of Nigeria.”
“That is a conservative estimate; by the time we conduct a serious, accurate data exploration, we will discover that we have trillions of solid minerals embedded under. So, the president’s projection of a one-dollar economy is not a fluke. By the time we are done with all of these efforts, input and policies we are putting in place, trillions of naira will be a child’s play and we will be nudging trillions of dollars.”
According to him, the government was putting in place concrete measures that would shift attention away from fossil fuels to solid minerals as a way of generating revenue for the government.
Alake, while stating the ongoing reforms aimed at revitalising the sector, stressed the importance of preventing Nigeria from remaining solely a “pit-to-port” exporter of solid minerals, with processing and conversion activities outsourced to other countries.
He also said that communities, where solid minerals are extracted, must henceforth derive maximum benefit from solid mineral exploration.
The minister added that part of its reform is the establishment of the Nigerian Solid Minerals Corporation.
He disclosed that the Committee on Solid Minerals Development has initiated the enactment of an act of the National Assembly on the Nigerian Solid Minerals Corporation, which will be a private sector-led limited liability company with a clear mandate of engaging in the business of mining across the entire value chain from upstream to downstream.
He added that the company is expected to create some of the stability the sector requires and spur other private sector activity by catalysing investment inflow across the entire sector.
“When I first read this, a lot of people were taken aback and sceptic because what rang in their minds was NNPC, that is, we are going to establish something similar like NNPC, which is a quasi-government venture. But no, the proposed corporation is vastly different in nomenclature, structure and operation.”
He added that the establishment of the corporation is before the National Assembly and will be driven by the private sector.
“We are proposing 50 per cent of the equity entirely to the private sector, 25 per cent to Nigerians at large and 25 per cent to the government.”
“My objective as your Minister is to work to ensure that Nigeria becomes a mining destination for the first time in its history, and we are working to make this happen by alleviating bottlenecks and salient challenges that have plagued the sector over time, such as security, licencing problems, unclear community engagement/development frameworks, policy inconsistencies, illegal mining on existing licences, and others. With your support, we are committed to overcoming these challenges and putting Nigeria on the global mining map,” he stated.
During his address, Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State commended the ongoing reforms and emphasised that private investment in solid minerals is crucial for driving growth in the sector.
He said lithium is the new gold, and Nigeria has an abundant supply of it, adding that the biggest lithium processing factory will soon be commissioned, processing 4,000 metric tonnes a day and transporting over a million tins of lithium a year.
Former Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, said the brainstorming session is aimed at bringing key stakeholders in the mining sector from the private sector, government, and civil society together to discuss the current mining landscape in Nigeria and explore potential opportunities for investment facilitation and sectoral development.
The Director General of NIPSS, Ayo Omotayo, said the summit was organised to chart a way forward for the mining sector.
He said, “We must do all we can to take our country to greater heights by ensuring that the critical mining sector contributes its share of a 1 trillion dollar economy in the very few years ahead.
“The question is; Can we achieve the promise of a trillion-dollar economy if the mining sector performs optimally?”
News
PFIPC: ICPC finally submits interim report to TInubu, wants Adeyemi to face prosection
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has submitted an interim report to President Bola Tinubu on its findings into the alleged fictitious Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), recommending the prosecution of its alleged Director-General, Adeniyi Adeyemi.
ICPC’s Chairman, Musa Aliyu, disclosed this on Thursday after meeting President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, exactly 30 days after Tinubu directed the anti-corruption agency to conduct a thorough investigation into the PFIPC.
According to Aliyu, preliminary findings revealed that Adeyemi was never appointed by the Federal Government and that the purported appointment letter, gazette and other documents used to establish the agency were forged.
The case centres on an alleged corruption and forgery scandal involving the disputed government entity, PFIPC.
Speaking at the State House, Aliyu said the commission’s investigation established that Adeyemi was never appointed by the Federal Government and that the documents used to legitimise the agency were forged.
The ICPC boss said the investigation also revealed significant weaknesses in government verification and oversight processes, which were exploited to create the impression that the PFIPC was a legitimate government agency.
“Our interim report found that there are weaknesses in verification, inter-agency oversight and government processes. We discovered that those weaknesses were exploited by Adeniyi, with some level of negligence.
“Our investigation found that no Federal Government funds were approved or disbursed to the fake PFIPC/PEAC,” the ICPC chairman stated.
According to him, investigators also uncovered two additional agencies allegedly created by Adeyemi, the FCT Investment Promotion Agency (FIFA) and the Foreign Investment Promotion Agency and Public Private Partnership (PIPA-PPP).
Aliyu said the disputed DG “used forged legislative instruments styled as enabling acts, and used them to support opening of bank accounts.”
Recommendations
The ICPC chairman said the commission recommended Adeyemi’s prosecution, administrative sanctions against public officers whose negligence enabled the operation of the fake agency, and institutional reforms to strengthen internal controls across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
“Our recommendation is that Mr Adeniyi Adeyemi should be prosecuted. Administrative sanctions should also be imposed on public officers whose acts of omission and negligence facilitated the illegal operation of PFIPC/PEAC.
“There is also a need for institutional reforms so that the internal controls of MDAs can be strengthened to prevent this kind of illegal activity,” he stated.
Aliyu noted that the report submitted to the President is only an interim one, adding that investigations are continuing to identify other collaborators and build a stronger criminal case.
“We have continued with the investigation of the activities of Mr Adeniyi Adeyemi and his collaborators so that we can unravel more facts and file criminal charges that can stand the test of time before a court of competent jurisdiction,” he said.
The PFIPC scandal came to the fore after the Presidency disowned the council, describing it as a non-existent government agency despite its appearance in the 2026 Appropriation Act with a ₦1.3 billion budget allocation.
The Federal Government has since filed criminal charges against Adeyemi over allegations including forgery, impersonation and fraudulent misrepresentation, while separate investigations by the House of Representatives and the ICPC continue into how the fake agency operated within government institutions.
News
World Breastfeeding Week 2026: 14 Myths, Facts Every Nursing Mother Should Know
As the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week comes to a close on Friday, health experts are reminding mothers and families that misinformation about breastfeeding continues to prevent many babies from getting the best possible start in life.
This year’s theme: “Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works,” highlights the need to expand proven support systems such as skilled breastfeeding counselling, family support and workplace policies that enable mothers to exclusively breastfeed for the first six months and continue breastfeeding up to two years and beyond.
Experts at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abuja during an antenatal section, say many long-held beliefs about breastfeeding are simply myths with no scientific basis. They urge mothers to rely on evidence-based information rather than cultural misconceptions that may interfere with optimal infant feeding.
Here are some of the most common myths—and the facts every family should know.
Myth: Mothers who deliver through Caesarean section cannot breastfeed immediately
Fact: Mothers who have a Caesarean section can begin breastfeeding as soon as they are medically stable after surgery.
According to experts, early initiation of breastfeeding is possible after a C-section with adequate support from healthcare workers and family members.
Myth: Breastmilk alone is not enough for newborns
Fact: Breastmilk provides all the nutrients a healthy baby needs during the first six months of life.
Experts explain that crying after breastfeeding does not automatically mean a baby is still hungry. Babies may cry because of wet diapers, abdominal colic, reflux, discomfort or the need for comfort. As long as the baby is feeding well, properly attached to the breast and gaining weight, mothers should be reassured that their milk is sufficient.
Myth: Women with small breasts produce less milk
Fact: Breast size has nothing to do with milk production.
The amount of milk produced depends largely on how often the baby breastfeeds and how effectively the baby empties the breast—not the size or shape of the breasts.
Myth: Exclusively breastfed babies struggle to accept complementary foods
Fact: Babies can successfully transition to complementary feeding after six months.
Health experts advise introducing a variety of nutritious complementary foods while continuing breastfeeding. They note that patience and persistence are key, as babies may take time to accept new tastes and textures.
Myth: Some mothers’ breastmilk is unsuitable for their babies
Fact: Every mother’s breastmilk is specially designed for her baby.
Unless there is a clear medical reason, mothers should continue breastfeeding. Experts add that even when breastmilk appears brownish—a harmless condition known as “rusty pipe syndrome”—it is still safe for the baby.
Myth: Mothers must wash their breasts before every feeding
Fact: Routine washing before breastfeeding is unnecessary.
Experts say frequent washing may actually dry or irritate the nipples. Normal daily bathing is sufficient, as the nipples naturally contain beneficial bacteria and protective oils.
Myth: Mothers with fever should stop breastfeeding
Fact: Mothers should continue breastfeeding even when they are ill.
In most common illnesses, breastfeeding should continue because breastmilk contains antibodies that help protect babies from infections. Only a healthcare professional should advise stopping breastfeeding in rare medical situations.
Myth: Breastmilk becomes sour if breastfeeding stops for a few days
Fact: Breastmilk inside the breast does not become sour.
Experts say mothers can resume breastfeeding whenever possible. Although milk supply may reduce after a prolonged break, it can often be rebuilt with frequent feeding and proper support.
Myth: Babies should stop breastfeeding once they turn one or begin walking
Fact: Walking is not a sign that breastfeeding should end.
Following recommendations by the World Health Organization and UNICEF, babies should receive exclusive breastfeeding for six months, begin complementary foods thereafter and continue breastfeeding until at least two years of age or beyond.
Myth: Mothers should immediately stop breastfeeding once they become pregnant
Fact: Pregnancy does not automatically require stopping breastfeeding.
Experts advise mothers not to panic if pregnancy occurs while still nursing. Depending on the mother’s health and nutritional status, breastfeeding may continue, while gradual weaning over several months may be considered where necessary.
Myth: Breastmilk can treat eye infections
Fact: Breastmilk should never be used as eye medicine.
Although breastmilk has infection-fighting properties when consumed by babies, it is not a treatment for conjunctivitis or any eye infection. Babies with eye discharge should be examined by qualified healthcare professionals.
Myth: Drinking more milk or palm wine increases breastmilk production
Fact: There is no evidence that milk or palm wine boosts milk supply.
Experts say good nutrition, adequate hydration, enough rest, proper positioning and frequent breastfeeding are the real factors that promote successful lactation.
Myth: Babies with diarrhoea should not breastfeed
Fact: Breastfeeding should actually be increased during diarrhoea.
Breastmilk helps prevent dehydration, provides nutrition and supports recovery. Experts stress that breastfeeding reduces the overall risk of diarrhoeal diseases and should continue alongside appropriate medical care.
Myth: Mothers must stop breastfeeding for 24 hours after vaccination
Fact: Vaccination is not a reason to interrupt breastfeeding.
Experts say mothers can safely continue breastfeeding after receiving vaccines. Vaccination does not contaminate breastmilk or make it unsafe for healthy babies.
News
Tinubu condoles with Kemi Adeosun over husband’s death
President Bola Tinubu has extended deep sympathy to former Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, over the passing of her husband, Anthony Adeniyi Adeosun, at 62.
The President condoled with the Adeosun family, friends and business associates over the loss, urging comfort in the legacies of steadfast faith, community service and charity that the devout Christian left behind.
President Tinubu noted the outpouring of testimonies on the life, times and good works of Mr Adeosun, particularly his dedication to supporting the less privileged.
He prayed that the Almighty God will grant the former minister and the Adeosun family strength and comfort at this very difficult time, and grant the deceased eternal rest.
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