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ABUJA, Nigeria — A former delegate to the 2014 National Conference and Ijele Nwanyi Igbo Nile, Chief Mrs. Ifeyinwa Arafat Ezenwa, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Assembly, state governors, traditional rulers, investors, and Nigerians to harness the country’s vast mineral wealth as a pathway to industrialisation, job creation, and sustainable economic development.
In an open letter titled “What Lies Beneath the Soil of Nigeria?”, Ezenwa argued that Nigeria’s economic future depends not merely on the abundance of its natural resources but on the nation’s ability to manage them transparently, process them locally, and build value-added industries capable of competing globally.
The advocate, who serves as a Delegate to the 2014 National Conference Energy Committee, member of the Advocacy Committee for the South East – New Constitution for Good Governance, and Regional Coordinator, Market Sector Advocacy, declared that Nigeria possesses enormous untapped wealth that extends far beyond crude oil.
“Nigeria is not a poor nation,” she stated. “We are a nation blessed beyond measure. Beneath our soil lie crude oil, natural gas, gold, lithium, iron ore, coal, limestone, bitumen, tin, lead, zinc, barite, kaolin, gypsum, marble, gemstones, phosphate, silica sand, and many other valuable minerals spread across our 36 states and the FCT.”
According to her, these resources constitute the backbone of industries that produce essential infrastructure and modern technologies, including roads, housing, hospitals, schools, power plants, automobiles, aircraft, computers, mobile phones, solar panels, medicines, fertilisers, and other industrial products.
Chief Mrs Ezenwa stressed that the ongoing global transition towards clean energy and advanced manufacturing presents Nigeria with an unprecedented opportunity to become a major player in the international minerals value chain.
“The world is changing. Countries are racing to secure the minerals needed for clean energy, electric vehicles, advanced manufacturing, and digital technology. Nigeria has many of these strategic resources.”
She maintained that the nation’s greatest challenge is no longer the availability of resources but how effectively they are managed to improve citizens’ lives.
“The question is not whether Nigeria has wealth. The question is whether we will transform that wealth into jobs, industries, stronger institutions, and a better quality of life for our people.”
Call for Local Processing and Industrialisation
The former National Conference delegate urged the Federal Government to move beyond the long-standing practice of exporting raw minerals without significant local processing, insisting that greater economic benefits would accrue if Nigeria developed domestic industries around its mineral resources.
Painting a vision of an industrialised Nigeria, she said:
“Imagine a Nigeria where every mineral is responsibly explored, processed within the country, and turned into finished products before export. Imagine young Nigerians employed in mines, factories, laboratories, engineering firms, technology companies, and manufacturing plants instead of searching endlessly for opportunities.”
She added that such a future is achievable if the country adopts deliberate policies that encourage industrial growth while protecting communities and the environment.
“This vision is achievable.”
Blueprint for Sustainable Resource Management
Chief Mrs Ezenwa outlined several priorities she believes are necessary to unlock Nigeria’s mineral potential, including transparent governance, investment in education and technical skills, local value addition, improved infrastructure, environmental protection, and responsible investment.
According to her:
“To make it a reality, Nigeria needs transparent governance, investment in education and technical skills, value addition, reliable infrastructure, environmental protection, and policies that encourage responsible investment while ensuring communities benefit from resource development.”
She also advocated continued national dialogue on constitutional and institutional reforms aimed at improving governance and accountability in the management of natural resources.
“As a nation, we should also continue conversations about constitutional and institutional reforms that strengthen accountability, improve resource management, and promote inclusive development.”
Appeal to Tinubu, National Assembly, Governors, Investors
In the open letter, Chief Mrs Ezenwa extended her appeal beyond the Federal Government, urging state governments, lawmakers, traditional institutions, investors, civil society organisations, and ordinary Nigerians to collaborate in unlocking the country’s economic potential.
“This is a call to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Assembly, Governors, Ministers, traditional institutions, investors, civil society, and every patriotic Nigerian to work together to unlock the full potential of our nation’s natural wealth.”
She maintained that Nigeria must prioritise domestic industrialisation over the continued export of raw materials if it hopes to achieve long-term prosperity.
“Let us move beyond exporting raw materials and build industries that create lasting prosperity.”
She further urged that the country’s abundant natural endowments should translate into improved living conditions for ordinary Nigerians.
“Let us ensure that the blessings beneath our soil become blessings felt in every home.”
Concluding her appeal, the public affairs advocate emphasised that Nigeria’s future would ultimately depend on leadership, accountability, and responsible stewardship of its abundant natural resources.
“The future of Nigeria depends not only on what lies beneath our land, but on the wisdom, integrity, and determination with which we manage it.”
She ended the open letter with a prayer for the nation, saying:
“May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
The open letter adds to growing national conversations on economic diversification, mining sector reforms, local value addition, and constitutional restructuring as stakeholders continue to seek sustainable pathways for Nigeria’s long-term economic growth beyond dependence on crude oil exports.
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