The Adamawa State Government, on Tuesday, hosted the North-East 2025 African Mineral Summit and Exhibition at Lelewal Motel, Yola, aimed at revitalizing economic activities in the region through solid minerals exploration.
The summit, organized by the Nigerian Association of Solid Minerals in collaboration with African Mineral Rating and Exchange, seeks to encourage investment in the solid minerals sector, particularly in the North-East, which has been significantly affected by insecurity.
The theme of the summit, “Bridging Agriculture and Solid Mineral Value Chain Development Gap,” highlights the importance of linking the agricultural and mining sectors to enhance grassroots productivity, investment opportunities, export trade inclusion, and capacity building.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Bashir Aliyu, described the summit as a wake-up call for Nigerians to explore the nation’s vast mineral resources for economic growth.
In a goodwill message, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Rural Infrastructure, Engr. Musa Ashana, emphasized the summit’s timeliness, noting that mineral resource exploration would lead to wealth creation and sustainable economic development. He commended the organizers for their initiative.
The Chairman of Adamawa Mining Company, Mr. Mennas Ngongurah, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to harnessing its mineral resources for economic growth. He disclosed that the government had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with investors interested in exploring the state’s mineral deposits. He also warned against illegal mining, stressing that only those who comply with due process would be allowed to operate.
As part of the summit activities, Dr. John Y. Pakka delivered a presentation on “Grassroots Economic Model Development,” where he outlined some of Adamawa’s key mineral resources, including agate, copper, kaolin, gypsum, and sulfur. He encouraged participants to form cooperatives and register with the Adamawa Mining Company to maximize economic opportunities in the sector.
The summit also featured an exhibition where Adamawa Mining Company showcased the state’s rich mineral resources. Participants engaged in networking sessions, discussions, and interactive question-and-answer segments.
The event concluded with a renewed call for collaboration among stakeholders to harness the solid minerals sector as a catalyst for economic transformation in the region.
