Wunti has warned that Nigeria must not repeat the crude‑oil export model, urging that the country’s 44 identified minerals be used to create jobs rather than export poverty.
Despite possessing a wealth of mineral resources, Nigeria has historically exported raw materials and imported finished products at significantly higher prices. This pattern mirrors the country’s long‑standing reliance on crude oil exports.
“Nigeria’s 44 minerals must create jobs, not export poverty,” said Wunti, calling for a shift in policy that would keep more value‑adding work within the country.
By developing domestic processing industries for its mineral wealth, Nigeria could reduce its dependence on imported goods and improve its balance of trade, the critic added.
The call for a more self‑sufficient approach reflects a broader push among Nigerian leaders to diversify the economy and harness local resources for national development.
<small>Source: Premium Times Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
