The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has expressed concern that current earnings from the solid minerals sector do not reflect the true scale of Nigeria’s geological wealth. Speaking at a strategic workshop in Calabar on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, the Executive Director of the NEPC, Mrs. Nonye Ayeni, emphasized that while the nation sits on vast deposits of lithium, zinc, tin, barite, and lead, these resources have yet to be effectively translated into significant non-oil export revenue.
The structural and economic consequence of this underperformance is largely attributed to the dominance of the informal sector. Ayeni, represented by the NEPC Cross River Coordinator, Dr. Damian Omorogbe, noted that the journey from mineral extraction to international markets is currently “fraught with challenges.” Chief among these are a widespread lack of understanding regarding export procedures, complex documentation requirements, and a failure to meet stringent international trade standards, all of which result in financial losses for potential exporters.
Analytically, the impact on “Export Standards and Global Competitiveness” remains a primary hurdle. The NEPC identified that many operators are deterred by the technicalities of global trade, leading to a reliance on unregulated channels. The workshop, titled “Unlocking Cross River State’s Potential: Strategies For Developing Critical Minerals For Export,” was designed specifically to bridge this knowledge gap, building a more capable community of formal exporters who can navigate financing and quality control.
The impact on “Regulatory Compliance and Illegal Mining” was further highlighted by Dr. Abigail Duke, Cross River State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry. Represented by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Philomena Nyiam, Duke lamented that many miners actively evade government enlightenment programs. She acknowledged that while the sector is riddled with illegal operations, the government’s intent is not punitive but collaborative aiming to formalize the industry to ensure mutual prosperity for miners and the state.
Furthermore, the NEPC reiterated that solid minerals hold the key to diversifying Nigeria’s revenue base away from crude oil. By transitioning from artisanal and often illegal mining to a structured export value chain, the council believes Nigeria can significantly bolster its foreign exchange reserves. The appeal to miners is clear: submitting to formal initiatives is the only sustainable way to unlock the “abundance” lying beneath the soil.
The long-term outlook for the solid minerals sector in Cross River and across Nigeria depends on the successful integration of small-scale miners into the formal economy. As global demand for critical minerals like lithium continues to rise, the NEPC’s focus on education and procedural compliance will be the deciding factor in whether Nigeria remains a passive observer or becomes a dominant player in the global mineral trade.
