The Director General of the National Space Research and Development Agency, Dr. Matthew Adepoju, has urged immediate action to harness Nigeria’s vast mineral resources as a pathway to economic transformation.

Speaking at the inauguration of a Joint Technical Committee with the Federal Ministry of Steel Development, he said every region of the country holds valuable minerals capable of driving industrial growth and national development.

Dr. Adepoju stated that the committee’s work will extend beyond land-based mining to explore opportunities beneath Nigeria’s inland and offshore waters.

He noted that space-based technologies will play a critical role in discovering and assessing mineral deposits, even in remote and inaccessible areas, to boost trade, industry, and infrastructure development.

According to him, the committee, comprising experts from NASRDA and the Ministry of Steel Development, will produce a costed action plan, practical strategies, and a sustainable funding model within a set timeframe.

He added that NASRDA will provide technical expertise in locating and analyzing iron ore and other alloys to enhance raw material supply for industries, including the Ajaokuta Steel Company.

The Ministry’s delegation, led by Engr. Kola Ogunbiyi, commended NASRDA’s advanced capacity in detecting and evaluating raw materials such as iron ore, limestone, and coking coal.

Ogunbiyi assured that the Ministry is committed to supporting the partnership to deliver tangible economic benefits to Nigerians.

Niger State has taken another major step in boosting its agro-industrial sector with the commissioning of a shea nut processing factory in Kudu. Earlier today, Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago inaugurated Salid Agriculture Nigeria Limited, one of Nigeria’s leading shea nut processors, which has the capacity to process 100 tonnes of shea nuts daily.

The facility, supported by Nexim Bank, is set to play a key role in expanding the shea value chain and increasing agricultural exports.

Speaking at the event, Governor Bago said the investment aligns with his administration’s vision to industrialise the state and attract high-value investors. “We are committed to making Niger State a competitive destination for investment, and this milestone is proof of that commitment,” he stated.

Salid Agriculture’s operations have been further strengthened through a three-year tax holiday facilitated by the Niger State Investment Promotion Agency.

This incentive aims to reduce operational costs and create an enabling environment for industrial growth. The company has also been admitted into the Niger State Special Agro-Processing Zone, granting access to infrastructure, funding opportunities, and job creation initiatives for local communities.

Governor Bago emphasised that these measures will position Niger State as a major player in Nigeria’s agro-industrial market, especially in the global shea industry.

Lafia – August 7, 2025 – The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s food security through closer collaboration with Nasarawa State. Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, met with Governor Abdullahi Sule in Lafia as part of efforts under the Renewed Hope Agenda to build sustainable food systems, bridge the national demand gap, and boost agricultural productivity.

“States like Nasarawa are critical to Nigeria’s agricultural transformation,” Senator Kyari said. “By investing in production and working together, we can build a food-secure nation.”

Governor Sule highlighted Nasarawa’s strong production of rice and sesame, identifying sugarcane as a key growth frontier. Both leaders agreed to prioritise increased investment in mechanisation, value chain development, and agro-processing.

The partnership aims to create jobs, improve rural development, and ensure long-term food self-sufficiency through coordinated state-level, federal, and private sector actions, positioning Nasarawa as a vital hub in Nigeria’s drive for agricultural transformation and economic growth.