Nigeria has announced the discovery of what officials describe as a world-class mineral province in Kaduna State, containing significant deposits of lithium, platinum group metals, gold, nickel, copper and rare earth elements.

Speaking at the African Natural Resources and Energy Investment Summit 2026 in Abuja, Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, said the discovery represents one of the most important developments in the country’s mining sector in recent years.

According to TheCable, the mineral deposits were verified by the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency following exploration activities conducted by a private company in collaboration with the agency.

Alake said the newly identified polymetallic province contains exceptionally high-grade deposits of strategic minerals that are increasingly in demand for clean energy technologies, battery production and advanced manufacturing.

“This is the first time I am announcing this publicly,” the minister said, describing the Kaduna find as a significant boost to Nigeria’s ambitions of becoming a major destination for critical mineral investments.

The announcement came shortly after Steron Mining and Company Limited unveiled an estimated 3.3 million metric tonnes of lithium reserves at its Abuja mining site during a facility tour for summit delegates.

Alake said the discovery strengthens Nigeria’s position in the global competition for critical minerals and supports the government’s drive to attract sustainable mining investments.

He also reiterated the Federal Government’s plan to move away from exporting raw minerals and instead focus on local processing and value addition.

“For too long, Nigeria’s mineral endowment did not translate into sufficient national value,” the minister said, noting that investors have already committed billions of dollars to mineral processing projects aimed at transforming the economy.

Speaking on the lithium reserves, Abu Omar, chief executive officer of Steron Mining, said the company originally operated as a granite quarry before discovering lithium deposits and later identifying occurrences of tantalite.

Omar said exploration work remains ongoing and that early findings continue to show promising prospects.

The discovery comes as global demand for lithium, rare earth elements and other critical minerals continues to rise, driven by the expansion of electric vehicles, renewable energy technologies and advanced industrial manufacturing.