Nigeria has announced what could be one of its most significant mining discoveries in recent years, unveiling a world-class polymetallic mineral province in Kaduna State while also revealing an estimated 3.3 million metric tonnes of lithium reserves at a separate mining site near Abuja.
The twin announcements were made at the African Natural Resources and Energy Investment Summit 2026 in Abuja, highlighting the country’s growing ambition to position mining as a major pillar of economic diversification beyond oil.
Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, described the Kaduna discovery as a landmark breakthrough that could elevate Nigeria’s standing in the rapidly expanding global market for critical minerals used in clean energy technologies and advanced manufacturing.
The Kaduna Discovery
According to the minister, the newly identified mineral province contains high-grade deposits of platinum group metals, gold, nickel, copper, lithium, and rare earth elements. Alake said the discovery was made by a private company, Steron Mining, in collaboration with the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency, which subsequently verified the findings.
“Recent exploration breakthroughs verified by the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency have unveiled a world-class polymetallic mineral province in Kaduna State, with significant deposits of gold, nickel, copper, lithium and rare earth elements,” Alake said.
The Lithium Reserve
Alongside the Kaduna announcement, Steron Mining and Company Limited disclosed that it has identified an estimated 3.3 million metric tonnes of lithium reserves at its Abuja mining site. The announcement comes as countries around the world intensify competition for critical minerals needed to manufacture electric vehicle batteries, renewable energy infrastructure, semiconductors, and defence technologies.
Nigeria has long been recognised for its vast untapped mineral wealth, but the sector has historically contributed only a small share of the country’s gross domestic product compared with crude oil.
Strategic Importance
Lithium, nickel, platinum group metals, and rare earth elements have become increasingly valuable as governments accelerate the global energy transition and seek to diversify supply chains away from traditional producers.
If successfully developed, the newly discovered mineral province in Kaduna and the lithium reserves near Abuja could mark an important step in Nigeria’s efforts to become a leading supplier of critical minerals at a time when global demand continues to rise.
For one of Africa’s largest economies, the discoveries also represent an opportunity to reduce its reliance on oil revenues while building a mining sector capable of competing in the global race for the resources powering the next generation of clean energy and advanced technologies.
The Bottom Line
Nigeria has announced a major polymetallic mineral discovery in Kaduna State, containing high-grade deposits of platinum group metals, gold, nickel, copper, lithium, and rare earth elements. A separate 3.3 million-tonne lithium reserve has also been identified near Abuja. The discoveries, verified by the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency, position Nigeria as a potential new hub for critical minerals as global demand surges for resources used in clean energy and advanced manufacturing.
