The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has expressed concern over the contribution of the solid minerals sector to Nigeria's export earnings. According to the Executive Director of NEPC, Mrs Nonye Ayeni, the sector's potential has not been fully translated into its earnings. Ayeni made this assertion at a workshop in Calabar, Cross River State, where she emphasized that Nigeria is endowed with abundant solid minerals that could significantly contribute to the country's non-oil export revenue if harnessed.
Ayeni pointed out that minerals such as lithium, zinc, tin, barite, lead, and others lie beneath the soil, waiting to be fully tapped. However, she noted that the inhibiting factor in the sector is the prevalence of the informal sector rather than the formal sector. Ayeni identified lack of understanding of export procedures, required documentation, financing, and standards as some of the challenges faced by potential exporters.
Ayeni stressed the importance of the workshop in building a more informed and capable community of exporters in the sector. She explained that the workshop aims to educate miners and Nigerians on how to tap the potentials in the sector and drive growth and prosperity.
The Cross River Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Dr Abigail Duke, also emphasized the need for miners to submit themselves to initiatives and advice meant to drive growth and prosperity in the sector. Duke noted that miners often evade programmes meant to enlighten them on how to tap the potentials in the sector.
The Nigerian government's failure to harness the potential of the solid minerals sector is a missed opportunity for economic growth and revenue generation. The sector's contribution to export earnings is a fraction of what it could be if the informal sector were formalized and challenges such as lack of understanding of export procedures were addressed. The workshop in Calabar is a step in the right direction, but it remains to be seen whether the government will follow through on its promises to support the sector. The fact that miners are often evading programmes meant to educate them on how to tap the sector's potential is a worrying trend that needs to be addressed. The government must take concrete steps to formalize the sector and provide support to miners to unlock the sector's full potential.
