By Abraham Maina Joda

JALINGO, TARABA — The Taraba State Government has taken what it describes as a major step towards repositioning the state’s solid minerals sector, as Governor Agbu Kefas hosted the maiden Taraba State Solid Minerals Investment Roundtable in Jalingo, seeking to attract credible private investment while ensuring that mining translates into jobs, industrial development and sustainable revenue.

The high-level investment forum, held at the Banquet Hall of the T.Y. Danjuma House, Jalingo, brought together government officials, investors, development stakeholders and representatives of the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development to examine how Taraba can move from largely informal and unregulated mineral exploitation to a structured, responsible and investment-driven mining industry.

The roundtable represents one of the state government’s latest efforts to diversify Taraba’s economic base and unlock the commercial potential of its mineral resources.

Kefas: Mining Must Deliver Jobs, Revenue and Community Benefits

Addressing participants at the forum, Governor Kefas said his administration was determined to ensure that the state’s mineral resources become a catalyst for broad-based economic development rather than merely a source of raw mineral extraction.

He stressed that mining activities must produce tangible benefits for communities hosting mining operations, particularly through employment opportunities for young people, local businesses, infrastructure and sustainable government revenue.

The governor warned against allowing the investment roundtable to become another ceremonial gathering without measurable outcomes.

According to him, the real test of the initiative would be the investments, projects, industries and jobs that emerge from the discussions.

Governor Kefas said Taraba was seeking to transition from unregulated and informal mining towards properly licensed, responsible and environmentally conscious mining, with particular emphasis on security, environmental protection, local processing and value addition.

He maintained that the state must not repeat the pattern in which mineral-rich communities remain poor while valuable resources are extracted and transported elsewhere with little economic benefit retained locally.

State to Establish Investment Facilitation Desk

As part of measures to make the state more attractive to serious investors, Governor Kefas directed relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies to establish a Taraba Solid Minerals Investment Facilitation Desk.

The proposed desk is expected to operate as a one-stop coordination platform connecting investors with relevant government agencies and host communities.

Its responsibilities will include facilitating access to geological information, land and site-related matters, business support, security, infrastructure and community engagement.

The initiative is also intended to reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks and provide investors with a clearer pathway from initial interest to project development.

The governor further directed that serious investors identified during the roundtable should be matched with specific mineral opportunities in the state and provided with practical implementation plans in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development.

He said such plans should identify prospective investors, mineral opportunities, host locations, regulatory approvals and timelines for site acquisition and project commissioning.

Alake Challenges Investors to Look Beyond Raw Mineral Extraction

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, urged investors to take advantage of Taraba’s mineral potential and support the state’s ambition to emerge as a significant mining destination.

Alake, however, cautioned that mineral deposits alone cannot automatically translate into bankable investments.

He identified credible geological data, exploration, infrastructure, security, environmental safeguards and effective community-benefit mechanisms as critical requirements for attracting serious investors.

The minister assured Taraba of the Federal Government’s readiness to support the state in converting its mineral resources into commercially viable investment opportunities capable of generating employment, industries and sustainable revenue.

He commended Governor Kefas for convening the roundtable, describing the initiative as an important step towards attracting private capital and strengthening economic diversification.

According to Alake, Nigeria must progressively reduce its dependence on crude oil by strengthening production, industrialisation and the responsible development of its mineral resources.

He also pointed to growing global demand for minerals required in advanced manufacturing, digital infrastructure and the energy transition as an opportunity for Nigeria to expand its mining industry.

Geological Data Critical to Attracting Serious Capital

The minister explained that investors considering major mining projects would need reliable geological information and would typically undertake geological mapping, exploration, drilling and resource definition before committing substantial capital.

Environmental and social assessments would also be necessary to establish the potential impact of mining operations and develop appropriate mitigation measures.

Alake therefore challenged the Taraba State Government to develop a pipeline of well-researched and commercially viable mineral projects that can be matched with investors possessing the required technical expertise and financial capacity.

He also urged investors to look beyond extracting and exporting raw minerals.

Rather, he advocated local processing and value addition, which he said would create opportunities for industries to emerge around Taraba’s mineral resources and enable the state and its communities to capture greater economic value from the sector.

The minister commended the state government’s efforts to improve security, noting that a more secure operating environment would strengthen Taraba’s attractiveness to investors.

TAGIS Highlights Taraba’s Mineral Potential

Earlier, the Director-General of the Taraba Geographic Information Service (TAGIS), Dr. Mark Maaku Joshua, said the state possesses considerable mineral resources capable of contributing significantly to its socioeconomic development.

He said the roundtable provided an important platform for government, investors and development partners to discuss practical strategies for converting Taraba’s mineral wealth into sustainable economic opportunities.

The TAGIS presentation was part of a series of technical engagements designed to expose participants to the state’s investment potential and the information required to support responsible exploration.

Other presentations at the event were delivered by the Chairman of the Taraba State Internal Revenue Service (TIRS) and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, reflecting the need to address the fiscal, regulatory and legal dimensions of mineral investment.

The programme also featured panel discussions and cultural performances.

From Mineral Wealth to Industrial Development

For Taraba, the significance of the roundtable extends beyond attracting mining companies.

The broader policy question is whether the state can build an ecosystem around its mineral resources—one that includes exploration, extraction, processing, manufacturing, logistics, services, employment and community development.

A successful transition from informal mining to a structured investment regime would require sustained coordination between the state and Federal Governments, investors, traditional and community leaders, regulators and host communities.

It would also require credible geological information, transparent licensing processes, environmental safeguards, adequate infrastructure and security, as well as mechanisms that ensure communities where minerals are extracted benefit meaningfully from the economic activity.

Governor Kefas’ proposed Investment Facilitation Desk could therefore become a significant institutional mechanism if it is given the technical capacity and authority to coordinate these processes effectively.

The Road Ahead

The maiden Solid Minerals Investment Roundtable has placed Taraba’s mineral resources more prominently on the investment agenda.

But beyond the declarations made at the Banquet Hall, the next phase will be measured by implementation.

For the initiative to achieve its stated objectives, investors would need to move from expressions of interest to exploration and project development; government would need to provide reliable data and regulatory clarity; and communities would need to see tangible benefits from mining activities.

The state’s proposed action plan—covering investors, mineral opportunities, host locations, approvals and project timelines—could provide the framework for measuring progress.

Ultimately, the success of Taraba’s new mining push will not be determined by the number of investors who attend investment forums, but by the number of viable projects established, jobs created, industries developed, revenues generated and communities transformed.

With its stated commitment to responsible mining, local processing and value addition, the Kefas administration is seeking to position solid minerals as a new pillar of Taraba’s economic diversification strategy.

NewsNexus Media will continue to follow the implementation of the state’s solid minerals investment programme, including emerging investment opportunities, government policy actions, community concerns and the extent to which mineral development translates into measurable economic benefits for the people of Taraba State.

NewsNexus Media
Research | Media | Public Policy | Strategic Communications
Where Facts Matter