The Nigerian Institution of Metallurgical, Mining, and Materials Engineers (3Ms), also known as 3M, has Advocated for Solid Minerals to Drive Economic Diversification, Isqil Najim reports.
This was contained in the communique released at the end of the just concluded international conference and Annual General Meeting (AGM) between June 22nd to 25th, 2025, in Lokoja, Kogi State.
The conference, themed “Diversifying the Nigerian Economy Through Metals and Solid Minerals Development,” brought together experts, policymakers, and stakeholders to chart a course for leveraging Nigeria’s vast mineral wealth.
The engineers lamented that despite Nigeria’s endowment with over 40 commercially viable solid minerals, the sector contributes less than 0.6% to the nation’s GDP—a stark contrast to countries like Ghana (25%) and Botswana (40%).
They cautioned against Nigeria’s over-reliance on oil revenue, which has led to the neglect of crucial sectors, including solid minerals.
Key Observations: A Sector in Distress
3Ms expressed concern over the untapped potential of solid minerals across the country, with Kogi State alone boasting 32 minerals in commercial quantities, presenting significant investment opportunities. Another major point of concern was the neglect of the Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited.
The industrial visit undertaken by the engineers to the plant revealed decades of abandonment, attributed to inconsistent government policies, dilapidated infrastructure, lack of funding, and a drain of technical manpower. The engineers stated that the abandonment of Ajaokuta Steel Company “doesn’t speak well of the country.”
Other critical observations included:
- Policy and regulatory gaps, with weak enforcement, bureaucratic hurdles, insecurity in mining zones, and inadequate investor incentives.
- Absence of value addition and local processing, leading to significant revenue loss and missed employment opportunities due to the export of raw minerals.
- Weak linkages between research and innovation in academia and the metallurgical/mining industries.
- Environmental and social concerns arising from poorly regulated artisanal mining operations, leading to degradation, child labor, and conflicts.
Recommendations: A Roadmap to Revitalization
To unlock the sector’s potential, the Institution put forth a comprehensive set of recommendations:
- Prioritizing investment across the entire value chain, from exploration to final products.
- Resuscitating critical facilities like Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited (ASCL), National Iron Mining Company (NIOMCO), Itakpe, and Aluminum Smelting Company of Nigeria (ALSCON), with a recommendation for Russian involvement in the ownership models.
- Updating mineral development policies to align with global best practices and eliminating regulatory overlaps.
- Enforcing policies that mandate the use of Nigerian materials and supporting local processing industries.
- Strengthening training, research, and certification for professionals in the field, alongside fostering industry-academic collaborations.
- Enhancing the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) to provide reliable geo-data for investors.
- Enforcing strict Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) and formalizing artisanal and small-scale miners.
- Addressing power challenges through off-grid solutions for mining and metallurgy clusters.
- Improving security, fostering community engagement, and ensuring mining revenues benefit local development.
- Encouraging the application of AI, additive manufacturing, and IT in solid mineral development.
- Promoting industrial visitations, skill-based training, and entrepreneurship for engineering students to enhance employability and job creation.
The Nigerian Institution of Metallurgical, Mining, and Materials Engineers (3Ms) observed that the sustainable development of Nigeria’s metals and solid minerals sector is essential for achieving economic diversification, creating jobs, fostering industrial growth, and attaining national technological self-reliance.
The institution urged the Federal Government, State Governments, investors, regulatory bodies, academia, and all stakeholders to collaborate in implementing these recommendations, aiming to establish the solid mineral sector as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s post-oil economy.
The communique was signed on behalf of the Conference secretary by the Rapporteurs comprises, Engr. Prof. Abdul Ganiyu Funsho Alabi, Engr. Yusuf, Yakubu Ochejah, Engr. Dr. Sefiu Adekunle Bello, Engr. Dr. Agbadua Afokhainu.
Nurturing Future Talent
One of the highlights of the conference was the Dr. Friday Ichifu Apeh Students Essay Competition, named in honor of the late Engr. Friday Apeh, a former NIMMME National Chairman. The competition aimed to encourage deeper student engagement in the 3M fields.
Abubakar Musa Omare, a 400-level student from the Federal University of Technology Minna, secured the first prize The second prize went to Mubasir, a 500-level student from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, while Mithcell Uwanabasi Emmanuel, a 200-level student at the Air Force Institute of Technology, Kaduna, received the third prize.
Kogi’s Strategic Importance
The state is home to the Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited (ASCL), Africa’s largest steel industry, which is 98% complete but currently dormant. The ASCL was designed to produce 1.3 million tonnes of steel products annually in its first phase, with projections to reach 5 million tonnes and employ over 50,000 people, aiming to transform Nigeria into an industrial powerhouse.
Furthermore, Kogi hosts the Dangote Cement Company’s Obajana Plant, Africa’s largest cement factory, producing approximately 10 million tonnes of cement per annum and contributing significantly to Nigeria’s cement supply.
Conference participants used the opportunity to visit both ASCL and Dangote Cement Obajana, gaining firsthand insights into their operations and capabilities through detailed industrial and facility tours and interactions with key management staff.
The conference recorded the participation of several prominent figures, including Engr. Margaret Aina Oguntala, President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), represented by Engr. Abraham Aghadike. Also in attendance were Engr. Shuaibu Kabir Bello, Managing Director of Kaduna Mining Development Company (KMDC), who delivered a guest lecture; Prof. Oluwasegun Ige, Director General of the Nigerian Hydrological Survey Agency (NGSA), represented by Dr. Julius Kwache; and Engr. Valerie Agberagba, a past Vice President of the NSE. Prof Aje Tokan Immediate Past National Chairman (who Chaired the student essay competition), Engr Gina Boi (Financial Secretary, Engr Chika Okwuolisa, Engr Olumuyiwa Awe (Lagos Chapter Chairman) This also include members of the team that made the event a success, among them are Engr Michael Orekyeh National Vice Chairman and the Chairman of the Conference Central Working Committee CCWC, Engr Dr. Mohammed Adamu LOC Chairman, Engr Kennedy Ibechem, National Program Coordinator, Engr Chinasaokwu Okorie Assistant National Program Coordinator.
