The Northern Elders Forum has called on the Federal Government to prioritise the development of the mining sector in northern Nigeria, describing it as a catalyst for industrial growth, job creation, and poverty reduction.
Speaking at the maiden edition of the Northern Nigeria Investment and Industrialisation Summit 2025 in Abuja, the NEF Chairman, Prof. Ango Abdullahi, stressed mining remained one of the region’s most underutilised assets despite its vast mineral endowments.
Abdullahi said the summit, themed “Unlocking Northern Nigeria’s Mining, Agricultural and Power Potentials (MAP2035),” was not just a discussion forum but a 10-year blueprint for transformation.
“Imagine the multiplier effect—industrial growth, job creation, poverty reduction, and renewed prosperity for our people—if mining is properly harnessed, linked to value chains, and supported by strong infrastructure,” he said.
