Yobe State Hosts Stakeholders’ Engagement Forum on Mineral Resources Development
Yobe State recently hosted a significant Stakeholders’ Engagement Forum focused on the development of mineral resources. This event brought together government officials, industry leaders, technical experts, professional bodies, and investors to discuss strategies for leveraging the state’s rich mineral wealth. The forum aimed to explore ways to transform these natural resources into opportunities for job creation, investment attraction, and industrial growth.
Nigeria has long been seen as an economy heavily reliant on a single source of revenue, which poses risks to its long-term stability. Analysts and stakeholders have emphasized the need for economic diversification to ensure a sustainable future. For sub-nationals, it is crucial to explore alternative revenue streams to meet growing demands. This is why Yobe organized the forum to capitalize on its abundant mineral resources.
The forum, themed “Building Strategic Partnerships for Sustainable Mining and Industrial Growth in Yobe State,” centered around turning deposits of limestone, gypsum, kaolin, granite, quartz, silica, trona, and diatomite into productive assets. These minerals have the potential to drive economic growth through job creation, investment, and industrial development.
Governor Buni Highlights Potential and Priorities
In his keynote address, Governor Mai Mala Buni highlighted the untapped potential of Yobe’s mineral resources. He noted that these natural gifts have remained underutilized for decades and called for their transformation into productive assets that can create jobs, generate wealth, and advance socio-economic development. The governor outlined the government’s priorities, including policy alignment with federal regulations, investor engagement, environmental safeguards, and community participation.
Governor Buni also stressed the importance of a transparent and accountable framework to ensure that mining activities benefit both investors and local communities. He emphasized that responsible mining could become a major driver of economic resilience, youth employment, and revenue diversification for the state.
Expert Insights and Technical Support
Professor Olusegun Omoniyi, Director General of the Nigeria Geological Survey Agency (NGSA), pointed out that Yobe State holds immense potential for economic diversification, job creation, and poverty reduction. He emphasized the need for active partnership among all stakeholders, including the government, investors, host communities, and technical agencies like the NGSA.
Professor Olusegun Omoniyi Ige, another director-general at the NGSA, highlighted the importance of geoscientific data in attracting investment. He stated that accurate mapping and mineral assessments reduce exploration risks and provide confidence for investment. Yobe has immense potential, but realizing it requires collaboration between government, investors, host communities, and technical agencies.
Role of YMDCL and Professional Bodies
Engr. M.A.K. Abubakar, Chairman of the Yobe Mining Development Company Limited (YMDCL), described the company as the government’s vehicle for coordinating mineral exploration and development across the state. He emphasized the goal of turning Yobe’s mineral potential into real economic benefits for the people. YMDCL would serve as a one-stop hub for investors and stakeholders in the mining sector.
Ms. Rose Chundung Ndong, President of the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS), highlighted the importance of training geoscientists, engineers, and artisanal miners. She stressed the need for tripartite collaboration between government, private sector, and professional bodies to achieve sustainable mining development.
Government Commitment and Investor Partnerships
Hon. Kaigama Umar Yunusari, Commissioner for Commerce, Trade, Investment, Tourism, and Solid Minerals, reiterated the government’s commitment to creating a socially inclusive and investor-friendly mining sector. He noted that building a mineral-based economy requires alignment of state strategies with federal policies, technical capacity development, and promotion of local processing industries.
Throughout the forum, discussions covered mineral mapping, policy alignment, investor incentives, community engagement, environmental safeguards, and regulatory compliance. Stakeholders emphasized the importance of data-driven decisions, capacity-building, and coordinated actions between government agencies, development partners, investors, and host communities.
Memorandums of Understanding Signed
The forum concluded with the signing of memorandums of understanding (MOUs) between the Yobe State government and four local and international investors: GeoScan Technology Limited, Revolve Mining Company, Deep Strata, and Minepro and Energy. These partnerships aim to drive exploration and value addition in the state’s mineral sector.
The Managing Director of the Yobe Mining Development Company, Engr. Bamodu Yerima, signed the MOUs on behalf of the state government. Governor Buni emphasized that these agreements are meant to diversify the state economy, create jobs, and attract credible investors to unlock the potential of Yobe’s soil and minerals.
Future Prospects and Collaborative Efforts
In the communique issued at the end of the conference, it was agreed that Yobe State’s mineral endowment holds immense potential. Transforming this into tangible development involves data-driven exploration, infrastructure development, and human capital and local content promotion.
The forum highlighted the need for detailed exploration studies by professionally qualified personnel, as many minerals remain undiscovered. Yobe State is at a critical turning point in its economic transformation drive, with huge opportunities for local and foreign investors. These opportunities need to be properly amplified and communicated through dedicated channels to drive the narrative forward.
Communities and traditional institutions should be continuously engaged as key partners with the government to ensure that mining contributes to inclusive, peaceful, and sustainable growth.
