List of 20 Mineral Resources in Nigeria & Their Locations

Nigeria is richly endowed with natural resources spread across all its 36 states and the FCT. These mineral resources are not only the backbone of Nigeria’s economic diversification but also a key source of wealth creation, industrial raw materials, foreign exchange, and job creation. Below is a comprehensive list of 20 major mineral resources in Nigeria and where they can be found.

1. Coal

• Location: Enugu, Kogi, Benue, Gombe, Delta, Anambra.
• Uses: Power generation, cement, steel.

2. Tin (Cassiterite)

• Location: Plateau, Nasarawa, Jos-Bukuru axis.
• Uses: Alloys, electronics, soldering.

3. Limestone

• Location: Ogun, Benue, Sokoto, Gombe, Cross River, Ebonyi.
• Uses: Cement, building materials.

4. Gold

• Location: Zamfara, Niger, Kaduna, Kebbi, Osun, Kwara, Edo.
• Uses: Jewelry, investment, electronics.

5. Iron Ore

• Location: Kogi (Itakpe), Enugu, Niger.
• Uses: Steel production.

6. Lead-Zinc

• Location: Ebonyi, Benue, Plateau, Cross River, Nasarawa, Taraba.
• Uses: Batteries, roofing, alloys.

7. Gypsum

• Location: Sokoto, Yobe, Ondo, Edo, Adamawa.
• Uses: Cement, plaster, fertilizer.

8. Bitumen

• Location: Ondo, Ogun, Edo, Lagos.
• Uses: Road construction, waterproofing.

9. Baryte

• Location: Benue, Nasarawa, Cross River, Taraba.
• Uses: Drilling mud in oil & gas.

10. Bentonite & Clay

• Location: Borno, Ogun, Delta, Ondo, Katsina, Adamawa.
• Uses: Drilling, ceramics, foundry.

11. Salt (Brine & Rock Salt)

• Location: Ebonyi (Abakaliki), Cross River, Benue.
• Uses: Food seasoning, chemicals.

12. Talc

• Location: Niger, Osun, Kogi, Kaduna, Ekiti.
• Uses: Cosmetics, ceramics, pharmaceuticals.

13. Granite

• Location: Abuja, Nasarawa, Ogun, Plateau, Ekiti.
• Uses: Construction, road building.

14. Gemstones (Tourmaline, Sapphire, Topaz, Amethyst, Garnet, Aquamarine)

• Location: Kaduna, Bauchi, Oyo, Plateau, Nasarawa, Taraba.
• Uses: Jewelry, export, investment.

15. Kaolin

• Location: Katsina, Kogi, Ogun, Abia.
• Uses: Ceramics, paper, medicine.

16. Phosphate

• Location: Sokoto, Ogun.
• Uses: Fertilizers, agriculture.

17. Lithium

• Location: Nasarawa, Kogi, Ekiti, Kwara, Kaduna.
• Uses: Batteries, EVs, electronics.

18. Tantalite

• Location: Nasarawa, Kogi, Ekiti, Oyo.
• Uses: Capacitors, electronics, aerospace.

19. Columbite

• Location: Plateau, Kano, Nasarawa, Kogi.
• Uses: Alloys, superconductors, nuclear-resistant materials.

20. Feldspar

• Location: Plateau, Ogun, Osun.
• Uses: Ceramics, glass, abrasives.

Conclusion

From battery minerals like lithium and tantalite to traditional resources like coal and limestone, Nigeria’s mineral wealth is vast and diverse. Harnessing these resources responsibly could accelerate industrialization and attract both local and foreign investment.

Next Steps

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✅ Gemstone Sourcing – Need help sourcing authentic Nigerian gemstones? Contact us today.
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✅ Knowledge Hub – Access more in-depth guides, reports, and resources in our Mining Resource Center.

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