These days most sub-nationals have become rather ingenious especially with regards to looking inwards to see how they can better improve on revenue generation albeit, by exploring the mineral resources at their disposal.
Little wonder the government of Yobe state in Northeastern Nigeria, and the famous Pride of the Sahel, has stepped up its game plan towards the exploration of its huge deposit of minerals across the state.
To achieve the utmost, the Yobe Mining Development Company Ltd. (YMDCL) with technical facilitation provided by Geo Concern Nigeria, organised a stakeholders’ forum on mining development at Damaturu, the state capital, a fortnight ago.
The forum tagged: ‘Building Strategic Partnership for Sustainable Mining and Industrial Growth in Yobe State’ drew key stakeholders from government functionaries, organised private sector, regulators, ministries and departmental agencies, traditional institutions, to mention just a few.
In his keynote address, Governor Mai Mala Buni, noted matter-of-factly that the forum marks a decisive step in the collective effort to reposition Yobe as a frontier of sustainable mineral development, which marks a new chapter in the state’s economic diversification and industrial transformation.
“Our state is richly endowed with mineral resources such as limestone, gypsum, kaolin, granite, quartz, and silica, among many others. Yet for decades, these gifts of nature have remained largely underutilised,” he said.
Pressed further, he said, “The time has come to turn these hidden potentials into productive assets that will create jobs, generate wealth, and advance the socio-economic development of our people. This forum is not just another conference; it is a strategic convergence of minds and mandates, providing a platform for dialogue, alignment, and actionable collaboration among all key stakeholders in the mining value chain.
“Our objective is to chart a coordinated course for mining sector growth in Yobe State, in a manner that aligns with federal policy, ensures community inclusion, attracts credible investors, and guarantees environmental responsibility. It is also our conviction that responsible mining, when properly managed, can become a major driver of our state’s economic resilience, youth employment, and revenue diversification.
“Under our administration’s development agenda, we have prioritised industrialisation and resource optimisation as pillars of sustainable growth. Therefore, through the Yobe Mining Development Company Limited (YMDCL), we are building a strong institutional foundation to translate our mineral endowments into viable enterprises.”
Echoing similar sentiments, Hon. Kaigama Umar Yunusari, Commissioner for Commerce, Trade, Investment, Tourism and Solid Minerals, Yobe State, stressed the need for collaboration between government, investors, professionals, and host communities in order to ensure the development of its mineral resources.
In his own address, Engr. M.A.K. ABUBAKAR, Chairman, Yobe Mining Development Company Limited (YMDCL) noted that the state has witnessed a paradigm shift, from dependence on federal allocation to a strategic pursuit of wealth creation through the harnessing of its vast natural endowments.
According to him, the YMDCL was conceived as a vehicle to drive value-based mineral resource development.
In his presentation, Prof. Akinade Olatunji of the Department of Geology, University of Ibadan, spoke on the need for policy and institutional alignment to harmonise state strategies with federal regulations.
The university don and immediate past President, Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS) and Geo Concern Nigeria, observed that though the constitution, the Minerals and Mining Acts 2007 and Minerals and Mining Regulation 2011 confer sole control of the mineral endowment to the federal government, the same act made some provisions and pronouncements where states have roles to play.
According to him, “Yobe state is one of the 36 sub-national governments in the federation. That means potential of 35 entities that could be competitors or collaborators depending on the deployed strategies. To all the investors, this is a state to be and where participation in the quiet revolution being wrought in the transformation of the solid mineral potential to actual development has begun on a sure footing. I say welcome to Yobe state!”
In a paper presented by His Royal Highness, Dr. Muhammad Abali Ibn Muhammad’s Idrisa, the Emir of Fika, he highlighted the role of communities and traditional institutions in engendering a culture of stability, peace and progress in the area of mineral exploration.
“In the context of mining, traditional rulers are not merely ceremonial figures; we are custodians of land, culture, and peace. Our palaces serve as the first points of contact for both local communities and external actors, whether investors, government agencies, or civil society organisations. Therefore, integrating the traditional institution into the governance framework of the mining sector is not optional; it is strategically indispensable. Every mining project ultimately takes place within a community, on land inhabited, farmed, or held in trust by people with deep ancestral and cultural attachments.”
As to why community participation and buy-in is key, the traditional ruler said, “During development and extraction, they bear the brunt of environmental and social impacts. After mine closure, they live with the long-term consequences on land, water, and livelihoods. This reality underscores the need for early engagement, transparent communication, and equitable benefit-sharing between investors, government, and host communities. When communities are respected and empowered, mining operations enjoy peace, continuity, and legitimacy. When they are ignored, the outcome is often conflict, sabotage, or loss of investment.”
Expatiating, the royal father said, “The success of Yobe’s mining sector will depend not only on the quality of its minerals, but on the quality of relationships among its people. Government provides the policy; investors bring capital and technology; but the community provides the legitimacy and stability without which no enterprise can endure.”
In his goodwill message, the Director-General of the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA), Prof. Olusegun Omoniyi Ige, commended the governor for the initiative, which he acknowledged is aimed at fostering collaboration and sustainable growth in the state’s solid minerals sector.
“Yobe State, with its rich endowment of industrial minerals such as gypsum, limestone, kaolin, and potash, holds immense potential for diversification of the economy, job creation, and poverty reduction. However, the realisation of this potential requires the active partnership of all stakeholders—government, investors, host communities, and technical agencies like ours.”
Also speaking on the occasion, Ms. Rose Chundung Ndong, President, Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS), emphasised the strategic importance of Yobe state in Nigeria’s mineral development agenda, though often recognised for its agricultural and livestock potential, is equally endowed with vast and many untapped mineral resources, ranging from gypsum, limestone, kaolin, diatomite, silica sand, and laterite to possible occurrences of metallic minerals.
“In conclusion, the NMGS firmly believes that Nigeria’s future prosperity depends on how we can responsibly harness our mineral wealth today. The proactive approach of the Yobe state sets an excellent example for other state governments to follow. As partners in progress, NMGS pledges its continued support, provision of expertise, and advocacy to make the vision of a sustainable and vibrant mining sector in Yobe state a reality.”
In a communiqué issued at the end of the forum and jointly signed by the Managing Director YMDCL, Bamodu Yerima and Prof A.S. Olatunji, for Geo-Concern Nigeria, they examined the various thematic areas that include policy alignment, geological and mineral data, security, community, environmental, the roles of traditional institutions and matters as it relates to lawful artisanal mining practices.
Specifically, the key findings of the technical session include the need for the stakeholders’ forum on mining development in Yobe state to be adopted as a positive, practical step towards the economic development of the state.
Besides, it was observed that there is a need for policy and institutional alignment to harmonise state strategies with those of federal regulations, just as the importance of creating a mineral endowment and potential of Yobe state to include metallic, non-metallic and energy minerals.
Also the role of communities and traditional institutions in mineral exploration and exploitation was highlighted considering its importance in the scheme of affairs.
The need to foster an enabling environment to encourage investors’ engagement was hotly debated just as the idea of environmental and social safeguards to protect Yobe state’s heritage was mooted.
Expectedly, it was further reiterated that there must be security and regulatory compliance to guarantee safe mining operations and curb illegal mining, and also established that artisanal mining can be done according to the law.
Some of the recommendations subsequently made were that given the inherent potential in Yobe state’s mineral endowment is humongous and transforming mineral endowment into tangible development would involve data-driven exploration, infrastructure development, as well as human capital and local content promotion.
Though there are known commercial deposits of metallic minerals (iron ore, bauxite, chalcopyrite), non-metallic minerals (gypsum, trona, limestone), and energy minerals (uranium, coal, crude oil); large-scale mining in Yobe state is currently limited and there are many minerals yet undiscovered hence need for detailed exploration study by professionally qualified personnel.
Yobe state is at a critical turning point in its economic transformation drive, and huge opportunities that have been opened up for local and foreign investors need to be properly amplified and communicated through dedicated channels to drive the narrative.
Communities and traditional institutions should be continuously engaged as key partners with the government in ensuring that mining contributes to inclusive, peaceful and sustainable growth.
Natural heritage, especially mineral endowment, holds significant present and future value, and practical efforts need to be made by government, the private sector and individuals to protect them from being negatively impacted under the guise of mining.
Artisanal mining, a source of livelihood for millions worldwide, can be devoid of illegality, social conflict and environmental degradation, by empowering artisanal miners and formalising their activities and integrating them into the formal mining ecosystem.
