Nigeria unveils world-class mineral discovery as new 3.3 million-tonne lithium reserve comes to light from Business insider.

[Augustine Togonu-Bickersteth]

Nigeria unveils world-class mineral discovery as new 3.3 million-tonne lithium reserve comes to light

Solomon Ekanem

26 June 2026 12:31 PM

  

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.

Nigeria unveils world-class mineral discovery as new 3.3 million-tonne lithium reserve comes to light [Cynthia R Matonhodze/Bloomberg via Getty Images]

Nigeria unveils world-class mineral discovery as new 3.3 million-tonne lithium reserve comes to light [Cynthia R Matonhodze/Bloomberg via Getty Images]

Nigeria announced a major discovery of a polymetallic mineral province in Kaduna State and an estimated 3.3 million metric tonnes of lithium reserves near Abuja.

The discoveries were revealed at the African Natural Resources and Energy Investment Summit as part of Nigeria's strategy to diversify its economy beyond oil.

The Kaduna site contains high-grade platinum group metals, gold, nickel, copper, lithium, and rare earth elements, verified by the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency.

These findings position Nigeria as a potential new hub for critical minerals, attracting global investors and supporting government reforms to formalize and regulate mining.

ADVERTISEMENT