Nigeria's Solid Minerals Exports Reach ₦354 Billion in 2025 Amid Sector Reforms
Nigeria's solid minerals exports reached ₦354 billion in 2025, reflecting sustained growth under ongoing sector reforms, according to the Solid Minerals Development Fund.
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Nigeria’s solid minerals exports reached ₦354 billion in 2025, marking a significant milestone in the sector’s post-reform trajectory, according to Hajiya Fatima Shinkafi, Executive Secretary and CEO of the Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF). The figure underscores a sustained upward trend in export performance, driven by policy reforms and increased private sector engagement.
Data from Vanguard News indicate that the 2025 export value represents a substantial increase from previous years, rising from ₦117.29 billion in 2023. The nine-month figure for 2024 stood at ₦199.6 billion, with the full-year value estimated at over ₦266 billion, suggesting accelerating momentum into 2025. While the exact year-on-year growth rate varies between reports, all sources confirm a robust expansion in export earnings.
Shinkafi attributed the growth to ongoing structural reforms aimed at formalizing artisanal mining, improving licensing efficiency, and attracting investment into underdeveloped mineral belts. She also highlighted the sector’s growing contribution to national revenue, noting that solid minerals generated over ₦108 billion for the Federation Account within a two-year period. This aligns with broader government efforts to diversify Nigeria’s economy away from hydrocarbon dependence.
The increase in export value reflects rising production and export volumes across key minerals, including lithium, tantalite, gold, and lead-zinc, though specific tonnage and grade data were not disclosed in the source material. Improved regulatory oversight and the operationalization of the SMDF are cited as key enablers of transparency and revenue assurance.
Despite progress, challenges remain, including infrastructure deficits and informal trade dynamics. However, the sustained uptrend signals growing investor confidence and the potential for solid minerals to become a more prominent pillar of Nigeria’s export economy. The Ministry of Mines and Steel Development continues to prioritize geological mapping and community-based mining initiatives to sustain the momentum.