Nigeria is enriched with abundance of natural resources also known as mineral resources. They can be found in all the 36 states of the nation. Apart from oil and gas, most of the other resources found in the country have not really been fully explored. The abundance of these resources is a big plus for Nigeria and her people. Because the exploration of these resources can add enormously to the progress of the nation. This article looks at all natural resources in Nigeria, their locations and their uses.
While Nigerians may complain of hard economy. The country is sitting on abundance of natural resources that if tapped, can bring growth and economic relieve. As a Nigerian, you can be able to explore some of these resources. As a foreign investor, you can explore these resources.
What's in this guide?
What are natural resources?
Natural resources are materials or substances occurring in nature which can be exploited for economic gain according to Oxford dictionary They are nature given substances that are found in the earth and are very beneficial for economic growth.
A good example is oil and gas which can be found all over the Niger Delta in Nigeria and has been sustaining the Nigerian economy for decades.
Natural resources in Nigeria and their locations
Below are the natural resources in Nigeria:
1. Gold
Gold is one of the most lucrative mineral resources in the world. It is very much in demand the world over. Very useful and important to the global economy. Gold is certainly one of the most valuable natural resources in Nigeria
Uses of gold
Gold can be used for the following purposes:
- Dentistry and Medicine
- Money/Finance (e.g Gold coins )
- Electronics and Computers
- Medals and Statues
- Jewellery
- Glassmaking
- Aerospace
- Computers
Where to find gold in Nigeria
Below are the states you can find gold in Nigeria:
- Abia
- Abuja
- Bauchi
- Ebonyi
- Edo
- Kaduna
- Kebbi
- Kwara
- Niger
- Osun
- Oyo
- Sokoto
- Zamfara
2. Oil and Gas
Oil and Gas is the backbone of the Nigerian economy. It is one of the most important resources in the world. There are many uses of oil and gas. It is very important for industries, for homes and every economy. Oil and Gas is the most valuable natural resources in Nigeria
Uses of oil and Gas
Below are the uses of Oil and Gas:
- Petrol (Gasoline)
- Residual Fuel Oil
- Lubricants
- Heating Oil
- Diesel Fuel
- Jet Fuel
- Propane
- Asphalt
- Kerosene
- Still gas
- Hydrocarbon gas liquids (HGL)
- Aviation petrol
Where to find Oil and Gas in Nigeria
Oil and gas can be found in the following states in Nigeria:
- Abia
- Akwa Ibom
- Bayelsa
- Delta
- Edo
- Imo
- Cross River
- Ondo
- Rivers
3. Bitumen
Bitumen is a black viscous mixture of hydrocarbons obtained naturally. It can also be obtained through petroleum distillation. And it is sometimes called Asphalt. There are so many uses of Bitumen from engineering to Agriculture. Nigeria has the second largest deposit of bitumen in the world, spanning approximately 120km.
Uses of Bitumen
Bitumen are used for the following:
- Constructions of roads, runways and platforms
- Water proofing to prevent water seepage
- Roofing
- Sealing and insulating
- Soundproofing
- Shoe soles
- Soil stabilization
- Disinfectants
- Explosives
- Canal lining to prevent erosion
Where to find Bitumen
Bitumen can be found in the following states in Nigeria:
- Edo
- Lagos
- Ogun
- Ondo
4. Coal
Coal is a hard rock which is mostly carbon but includes other elements like hydrogen, sulphur, oxygen and nitrogen. It is very useful to the world in many ways. The estimate of coal in Enugu state alone is 3 billion tons.
Uses of coal
Below are the uses of coal:
- Electricity generation
- Production of Steel
- Cement manufacturing
- Gasification and Liquefaction
- Domestic Use
Where to find coal in Nigeria
You can find coal in the following states in Nigeria:
- Bauchi
- Benue
- Enugu
- Nasarawa
- Ondo
- Plateau
- Zamfara
5. Iron ore
Iron ore are minerals or rocks that metallic iron are extracted from. Mostly for economic reasons. As you may know, iron is very important and useful to the world. There are over 3 billion tones of iron ore found in Kogi, Enugu, Niger, Zamfara, and Kaduna States.
Uses of Iron ore
Below are the uses of Iron ore:
- Production of iron
- Steel production
- Powdered iron
- Radioactive iron
- Black iron oxide
Where to find Iron ore in Nigeria
Below are the states you can find Iron ore in Nigeria:
- Anambra
- Bauchi
- Benue
- Delta
- Edo
- Kogi
- Kwara
- Nasarawa
- Plateau
6. Lead and Zinc
Lead is a widely used metal all over the world. It is very crucial in developments the world over. The estimated reserve in Nigeria is well over 10 million tons of lead and 80,000 tons of zinc.
Uses of Lead and Zinc
Lead and Zinc are used for the following:
- Roofing
- Batteries
- Galvanization of steel
- Die casting
- Construction
- Ammunition
- Electroplating
- Chemicals
- Cable wrapping
- Medicine
Where to find Lead and Zinc in Nigeria
Below are places you can find lead and Zinc in Nigeria:
- Abia
- Abuja
- Akwa Ibom
- Anambra
- Bayelsa
- Benue
- Ebonyi
- Enugu
- Imo
- Cross River
- Kano
- Niger
- Plateau
- Taraba
7. Limestone
Limestone is a sedimentary rock that is mainly contained of calcium carbonate. It is very important and useful to the world. Limestone in the Southwest region of Nigeria alone has been estimated at 31 million tonnes.
Uses of Limestone
Limestone is used for the following:
- Building and construction
- Agriculture
- Fillers in manufactured goods
- Industries
Where to find Limestone in Nigeria
Below are states that you can find Limestone in Nigeria:
- Abia
- Akwa Ibom
- Anambra
- Bauchi
- Bayelsa
- Benue
- Borno
- Edo
- Enugu
- Imo
- Cross River
- Kaduna
- Ogun
- Ondo
- Sokoto
8. Barytes (Barite)
Baryte also known as Barite is a mineral consisting of barium sulphate. It is useful to the world. Its main properties are its high specific gravity (4.5), very low solubility; it is non-toxic, and also chemically and physically unreactive.
Uses of Barytes
Find the uses of Barytes below:
- Weighting filler
- Paint and plastic filler
- TV screen
- Glass
- Radiation shielding
- Oil industry
- Medicine ( It is used for a barium meal or an upper gastrointestinal series before doing a contrast CAT scan)
Were to find Barytes in Nigeria
Below are places that you can find Barytes in Nigeria:
- Benue
- Cross River
- Nasarawa
- Plateau
9. Salt
Salt is mineral resources that consists mainly of sodium chloride. It is very useful and important to the world. There so many uses of salt.
Uses of salt
The following are the uses of salt:
- Manufacturing chlorine and sodium hydroxide
- Manufacturing of paper pulp
- Human consumption
- Manufacturing of plastics
- Water conditioning processes
- De-icing highways
- Agriculture
Where to find salt in Nigeria
Below are places to find salt in Nigeria:
- Abia
- Akwa Ibom
- Anambra
- Benue
- Ebonyi
- Imo
- Cross River
- Kastina
- Nasarawa
- Plateau
- Sokoto
10. Tin
Tin is a chemical element of of the carbon family. It is of great value, it has a lot of uses. It is used the world over for various purposes.
Uses of Tin
The following are the uses of Tin:
- Tin-plating
- Solders
- Tin Chemicals
- Lead-Acid Batteries
- Copper Alloys
Where to find Tin in Nigeria
Below are places that you can find Tin in Nigeria:
- Bauchi
- Plateau
11. Uranium
Uranium is radioactive chemical element. It is a very useful and important natural resources. It is used for many reasons.
Uses of Uranium
Below are the uses of Uranium:
- Power generation
- Used as ballast in airplanes and boats
- Smoke detectors
- Medicine (Radiotherapy and gamma sterilization)
- Nuclear power plants
- Nuclear weapons
- Ammunition and armour.
Where to find Uranium in Nigeria
Below are states you can find Uranium in Nigeria:
- Akwa Ibom
- Bayelsa
- Cross River
- Adamawa
- Taraba
- Plateau
- Bauchi
- Kano
12. Clay
Clay is a finely-grained natural rock or soil material. It is very useful to the world in diverse ways.
Uses of Clay
Below are the uses of clay:
- To make bricks and roofing tiles
- Pottery making
- Agriculture
- Construction
Where to find clay in Nigeria
Below are places that you can find clay in Nigeria:
- Abuja
- Akwa Ibom
- Anambra
- Bauchi
- Benue
- Borno
- Delta
- Edo
- Kaduna
- Lagos
- Nasarawa
- Ogun
- Ondo
- Oyo
- Plateau
- Rivers
- Sokoto
13. Gypsum
Gypsum also known as calcium sulfate hydrate is a soft sulfate mineral. It is very useful to the world.
Uses of Gypsum
Below are the uses of Gypsum:
- Manufacturing of wallboard
- Manufacturing of cement
- Soil conditioning
- Gypsum blocks
- Additive to turbid water
- Food additive
- Colour additive for drugs and cosmetics
- Primary ingredient in toothpaste
Where to find Gypsum in Nigeria
Below are states that you can find Gypsum in Nigeria:
- Adamawa
- Anambra
- Bauchi
- Bayelsa
- Benue
- Borno
- Delta
- Edo
- Gombe
- Imo
- Kogi
- Ondo
- Sokoto
