Nigeria is blessed with human and natural resources, which to a large extent, seem to be untapped. There is so much focus on crude oil, while many other resources remain underutilized. From mineral resources to cash crops and natural assets the country has been blessed with, it is obvious that we haven’t even scratched the surface. And what better time to reevaluate our stance and endowment than in the celebration of our independence.
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Nigeria is 61 and still counting. Despite the economic situation and other challenges we face as a people, the country remains ours and ours to keep. One of the areas we can tap into to improve the standard of living and the economy is our natural resources. Discussed in this article are the natural resources in Nigeria and their locations.
This is typically the most talked-about natural resource in Nigeria. It is a fossil fuel that was discovered in 1956, and have been ever since mined to the core. According to records, Nigeria is the world’s fourth-richest country in crude oil and first in Africa. Perhaps, it is this fame that makes our dear country well known for this natural resource. Crude oil is majorly found in the South-South region of Nigeria. It includes states like Rivers, Bayelsa, Cross-River, Delta and Akwa Ibom.
Crude oil is also a treasured natural resource in Nigeria. Manufacturing industries in the country usually make use of coal as a liquid fuel for cement and steel production. Coal is found in Enugu, Benue, Kwara, Kogi, Edo, Abia and Anambra states.
Nigeria’s iron ore deposits are often found in sedimentary rocks. It is said that the area in Nigeria with the purest iron ore deposits is Itakpe in Kogi State. However, iron ore is also found in other states such as Bauchi, Nasarawa, Kwara and Plateau states.
This natural resource is majorly located in the Northern part of Nigeria. The mining of gold started in 1913 and has grown ever since. Gold is primarily found in Iperindo in Ondo state, Bin Yauri, Tsohon Birnin Gwari-Kwaga and Malele. There are also small traces of gold in Abuja, Sokoto, Niger and Zamfara states.
Silver is another natural resource that is predominant in Northern Nigeria. The states in which it is located are Taraba and Kano.
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This is one of the most popular natural resources in Nigeria. Clay can be regarded as the oldest building material. It is often used in making pottery works, ceramics, etc. Clay is deposited in Abuja, Lagos, Ogun, Borno, Oyo and Anambra.
Tin is a great natural resource found in places like Jos and Bauchi. It is one of the most common mineral resources in Nigeria.
Nigeria is one of the countries in West Africa with large deposits of zinc. It is definitely a widely utilized metallic substance. It is located in Niger, Imo, Kano, Taraba and Enugu states.
Limestone is in the category of sedimentary rocks and is a valuable mineral resource used in manufacturing industries. It is found in states such as Anambra, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Benue, Imo, Ogun and Bayelsa states.
Salt is one natural resource we can’t possibly do without. It is a valuable resource used for different purposes. There are different types – table salt, sea salt, red salt, black salt, etc. It is largely deposited in Ebonyi state, hence the slogan – The salt of the nation. Salt is also found in other states like Akwa Ibom, Katsina, Benue, etc.
Apart from these mineral resources, Nigeria is endowed with agricultural resources which naturally fair well in the Nigerian soil. These include Oil palm (found in Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Imo, Abia and Oyo), Cocoa (found in Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Ondo and Kwara), Groundnut (found in Ebonyi, Sokoto, Kano, Katsina and Niger) and Timber (found in Ogun, Delta and Edo).
These natural resources are definitely areas that should be exploited to improve the country’s GDP and living standards. As we celebrate Nigeria at 61, we should consider the natural gifts we have and fully maximize them for a better and happier country.
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