Nigeria is positioning the North Central region as a major mining growth hub following a strategic partnership between the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and the North Central Development Commission.
This is aimed at unlocking value across the mineral value chain, a statement by Lara Owoeye-Wise, special assistant on media to the minister of Solid Minerals stated.
According to the statement, Dele Alake, the minister of Solid Minerals Development, said the collaboration is expected to accelerate job creation and industrial activity through increased mineral processing, shifting focus from raw exports to value addition.
The policy direction is already yielding measurable economic returns, with the sector contributing over $2 billion to the economy, driven largely by in-country processing initiatives. Analysts say this signals a gradual transition of mining from a largely extractive activity to an industrial growth driver.
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A key pillar of the strategy is formalization. More than 300 artisanal miners have been organized into cooperatives, integrating them into the legal economy and improving access to financing, technology, and markets.
This is expected to expand the tax base while reducing revenue leakages linked to illegal mining. Enforcement is also tightening. Over 300 illegal miners have been arrested, with about 150 currently facing prosecution, including foreign nationals.
This dual approach of enforcement and inclusion is designed to de-risk the sector and improve investor confidence.
Cyril Tsenyil, managing director of NCDC, , said the commission is exploring the creation of a Special Purpose Vehicle to mobilize capital and drive large-scale mining projects across the region.
The move is expected to unlock financing and fast-track project execution, he said
The partnership also reflects a broader institutional alignment strategy, with both entities committing to a technical working committee to coordinate investments, ensure transparency, and optimize project delivery.
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With rich deposits across states including Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau and the FCT, stakeholders say the North Central region could emerge as a key contributor to Nigeria’s diversification agenda if execution remains consistent.