GEOPHYSICISTS URGE FG TO PROTECT NIGERIA’S LITHIUM, OTHER KEY MINERALS

Geophysicists have called on the Federal Government to strengthen efforts to conserve Nigeria’s lithium and other strategic mineral resources, warning that the country could lose significant economic opportunities if the resources are not properly managed.

The experts made the call while highlighting the growing importance of critical minerals to Nigeria’s economic development and the global transition towards cleaner energy.

Lithium has attracted increasing attention in recent years because of its use in batteries for electric vehicles, mobile devices and renewable energy storage systems. Nigeria is believed to have significant deposits of the mineral, making it one of the resources with potential to contribute to the country’s economic diversification.

The geophysicists stressed that Nigeria should move beyond simply extracting and exporting raw minerals. They advocated policies that would encourage local processing and value addition so that more economic benefits could remain within the country.

They also urged the government to improve the regulation of mining activities and ensure that exploration and extraction are carried out responsibly. According to the experts, stronger monitoring would help reduce illegal mining and protect mineral deposits from being exploited without adequate consideration for the country’s long-term interests.

The call also extends to other strategic minerals considered important to industrial development and emerging technologies. The experts noted that effective management of these resources could attract investment, create employment opportunities and support the growth of local industries.

They therefore encouraged the Federal Government to strengthen geological surveys and research to provide more accurate information about the quantity, quality and distribution of Nigeria’s mineral deposits.

The geophysicists further emphasised the need for greater collaboration among government agencies, researchers, mining companies and local communities to develop a sustainable framework for the sector.

They maintained that proper conservation and responsible exploitation of Nigeria’s strategic minerals would be crucial to ensuring that the country benefits from its natural resources both now and in the future.

With growing global demand for critical minerals, the experts said Nigeria must develop a clear strategy for managing its deposits and positioning the mining sector as a stronger contributor to national economic growth.