Africa's top oil producer set to add rare earths to its list of prized exports after breakthrough discovery

Nigeria has made significant discoveries of platinum, lithium, as well as rare earth deposits, according to one of the West African country’s ministers.

Describing the discovery as a breakthrough, Dele Alake, the country’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, noted that the deposits were found in the Northern state of Kaduna, illustrated as a world-class polymetallic mineral province.

He made the announcement on Wednesday at the opening of the African Natural Resources and Energy Investment Summit (AFNIS) 2026 in Abuja, the country’s capital.

The minister further detailed that the discovery is one of the biggest advancements in Nigeria's mining industry in recent years and was confirmed by the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA), as seen on PremiumTimes.

“This is the first time I am announcing this publicly,” the minister said.