Natural Resources Found in Nigeria

Introduction

Each state in the nation has its own unique set of natural resources. Every state in Nigeria possesses one or two natural resources. Thus this write up deals in details with the Natural Resources found in Nigeria.
Firstly, it’s crucial that we briefly define and clarify this subject before listing Nigeria’s natural resources.

What are natural resources?

Is a sources of wealth that exist or develop naturally and may be utilized by people are referred to as natural resources.
It is further categorized into renewable and non-renewable.

Renewable Natural Resources

Agriculture-related items like plants and animals are renewable resources, whereas minerals, soil, and fossil fuels are non-renewable. Thus, the highest value is placed on renewable resources since they are created in very small quantities and can take years to regenerate.
As a result, this article will solely discuss non-renewable natural resources and where they are located in all of Nigeria’s states.

Non-renewable Natural Resources in Nigeria

Due to the significant market demand, these minerals are unique. The primary non-renewable natural resources in Nigeria are listed below:

What are the top 5 resources in Nigeria?

The economy’s most significant segment is resource exploitation. Crude oil, natural gas, coal, tin, and columbite (an iron-bearing mineral that occurs with tin) are the minerals with the highest economic value. However, the primary source of tax income and foreign money is petroleum, which was first found in 1956. According to OPEC

Where is Gold located in Nigeria?

Northern Nigeria has gold reserves, most notably in the areas around Maru, Anka, Malele, Tsohon Birnin Gwari-Kwaga, Gurmana, Bin Yauri, Okolom-Dogondaji, and Iperindo in the state of Osun.

What are Nigeria’s Main Natural Resources?

Mountains are found in the southeast, while plains are found in the north. Its topography is made up of southern lowlands that blend into central hills and plateaus. On the other hand, Natural gas, petroleum, tin, iron ore, coal, limestone, niobium, lead, and zinc are among Nigeria’s abundant natural resources.

List of Natural Resources found in Nigeria.

1.Coal

Nigeria has an abundance of coal deposits, which were initially found in Enugu in 1909. Notable discoveries were made at the Ogubate mine in 1918. Nigerian coal is known for having a low sulfur and ash level, which makes it environmentally beneficial. Nigerian coal is among the best in the world, with reserves of 600 tons and three billion tons of coal in seventeen fields.

2.Crude Oil.

Nigeria’s primary economic engine is petroleum, which is mostly made up of carbon and hydrogen. The initial finding took place in Bayelsa State’s Oloibiri. With 2.5 million barrels of crude oil produced per day and 180 trillion cubic meters of gas stored, Nigeria has the greatest crude oil resources in Africa and is ranked fourth in the world. Being the largest commercially viable natural resource in Nigeria, it is a prominent member of OPEC and is renowned for producing sweet oil with a low sulfur level.

3. Rock Salt.

Rock salt is one of the minerals with the highest demand in Nigeria. Table salt, caustic soda, chlorine, hydrogen peroxide, and several other ingredients are combined to create rock salt. Nigeria now has 1.5 million tons of preserved rock salt.

4. Lead.

In Nigeria, there are reportedly 10 million tons of lead and zinc. Enugu, Abuja, Cross Rivers, Cano, and other states generate this content. With around 5 million tons of this resource, the east-central region of Nigeria is the richest.

5. Iron Ore

Iron ore, a crucial rock mineral, was created by the chemical interactions of oxygen and iron in both freshwater and marine environments.

Nigeria’s national iron ore corporation was founded in 1979. According to current estimates, the nation’s iron ore reserves are 3 billion tons. State supply locations for this material include Enugu, Abuja, Niger, and Kogi. It’s noteworthy to note that Nigeria has two steel-producing businesses. They are not presently operational. The first one is in Aladja, Delta State, while the second one is in Ajaokuta.

6. Gemstone

One of the crucial natural resources is gemstones. Although many people don’t think that Nigeria has jewels, in case you didn’t know, they are among the greatest in the world. Bauchi, Plateau, and Kaduna are the states where the valuable gemstones are most frequently found. There are many different types of gemstones that may be discovered, including sapphire, emerald, and ruby.

7. Bitumen

Bitumen is a substance that is frequently used in the construction of roads. It was initially investigated in Nigeria in 1905. The states of Ogun, Edo, Ondo, and Lagos all utilize a lot of bitumen to build their highways. Bitumen reserves in Nigeria are substantial; they outnumber crude oil reserves by a factor of two. Of course, they are frequently taken advantage of.

8. Gypsum

CaSO42H2O, also known as calcium sulfate dehydrate, is the main component of the soft sulfate mineral known as gypsum. Sedimentary rocks contain this naturally occurring mineral resource.
Gypsum is a resource that Nigerians utilize to make cement, chalk, and POP (plaster of Paris), which is used in construction. Approximately 1 billion gypsum supply are now available in Nigeria. Edo, Delta, Gombe, and Kogi are a some of the states that create this content.

9. Talc

Talc is a soft mineral that can be found in a variety of colors, including light green, white, pink, and black. It is also known as French chalk, soapstone, and steatite. the talc industry is one of the most diverse sectors of the industrial minerals of the world. the mineral resource known as talc can be found in the states of Kogi, Oyo, Osun, and Niger.

10. Bentonite

The two main alternatives for the mud that may be used to drill oil wells are bentonite and barite. The three states of Borno, Plateau, and Adamawa are said to have 700 million tons of bentonite in Nigeria. On the other side, Bauchi and Taraba states are home to the 7.5 million tons of barite.

11. Gold

Both alluvial and primary gold resources may be found in Nigeria. The South-Western region of the nation possesses the majority of the country’s alluvial gold deposits. Nigeria is far from realizing the full potential of its gold since a sizable portion of the country’s gold mining sector is unregulated and small-scale.Northern Nigeria has gold reserves, most notably in the areas around Maru, Anka, Malele, Tsohon Birnin Gwari-Kwaga, Gurmana, Bin Yauri, Okolom-Dogondaji, and Iperindo in the state of Osun.

12. Silver

Although it does not have a large silver deposit like other minerals and metals, Nigeria is one of the few African nations with silver deposits. They are usually found in northern states like Taraba and Kano. There are also some silver traces in Ebonyi State.

13. Clay

One of Nigeria’s first construction materials and mineral resources is clay. Ceramics, tiles, fire bricks, and other materials are also made with it. In almost all of Nigeria’s states, clay exists. However, the main deposits are found in Lagos, Nasarawa, Ogun, Ondo, Oyo, Sokoto, Cross River, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Benue, Borno, and Bauchi.

14. Granites

All of the federation’s states have granites. They are sometimes referred to as gravel or chips. However, the biggest deposits are found in Ekiti, Cross River, and FCT Abuja. Ebonyi, Enugu, Kogi, Nasarawa, Ogun, Osun, Oyo, and Plateau are other places.

15. Copper

Furthermore, one of the easily available mineral resources is copper ore or concentrate, which is mostly found in the northern states of Nigeria, such as Bauchi, Gombe, Kano, Nasarawa, and Zamfara. It’s also thought that Abia State has some copper resources.

16. Uranium

Additionally, Nigeria has a lot of uranium, which might improve its technology and economy. Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Bauchi, Cross River, Kano, Plateau, and Taraba states all have uranium.

17. Limestone

Major regions where limestone is mined in large amounts commercially are the states of Cross River and Ebonyi. Construction businesses quarry and process limestone. Abia, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Edo, Enugu, Imo, Ogun, Ondo, and Sokoto are other locations where it is present.

18. Dolomite

In terms of exposure to pressure and heat, dolomite and limestone are comparable. Additionally, it is made of sedimentary rock. The states of FCT Abuja, Edo (Akoko and Ikpeshi), Kwara, Kogi, Nasarawa, Oyo, and Yobe are home to dolomite deposits.

19. Tar Sands

Tar sands, often referred to as oil sands, are a dark, thick, and sticky oil that form when sand, clay, bitumen, and water are combined. They are quite precious and are found in the states of Abia, Edo, and Ondo.

20. Lithium

Lithium is a soft metal with a silvery-white color that, when exposed to damp air, turns dull silvery-grey and finally turns black tarnish owing to surface corrosion. It may be found in Nasarawa and is heavily deposited there.

Conclusion

Nigeria is a country rich in both people and natural resources, many of which are not found anywhere in the globe. As a result, they are one of the richest countries in the world in terms of natural resources within their geographical region.
The value of natural resources in Nigeria cannot be overstated. However, how it is harnessed and put to good use for the growth of the country’s economy is critical.

Detailed list of Natural Resources found in Nigeria and their Location

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