Federal Government has unveiled a new mining grant programme aimed at strengthening exploration activities and advancing geoscience research across Nigeria’s solid minerals sector.
Gatekeepers News reports that the initiative is designed to support local researchers, geologists, and mining operators with funding to carry out exploration projects that can help identify and develop untapped mineral resources across the country. Officials said the programme is part of broader efforts to diversify the economy away from oil dependency.
According to the government, the grant will also be used to improve data collection, mineral mapping, and geological surveys, which are expected to make Nigeria’s mining sector more attractive to both local and foreign investors. Authorities believe that better geological data will reduce risks associated with mining investments and improve decision-making in the industry.
The programme is being coordinated under the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, which has recently intensified reforms aimed at formalising artisanal mining, increasing revenue generation, and curbing illegal mining activities.
Government officials noted that Nigeria remains underexplored despite its vast mineral potential, adding that strategic investment in geoscience research is critical to unlocking economic value from the sector.
Stakeholders in the mining industry have welcomed the initiative, describing it as a step toward building a more structured and data-driven mining ecosystem that can contribute significantly to national development.
