Kalu Calls for Focus on Critical Minerals to Future-Proof Nigeria’s Economy

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has called for renewed national focus on critical minerals as a key driver of Nigeria’s economic transformation in the 21st century.

Kalu made the call while delivering the keynote address at the Oxford Global Think Tank Leadership Conference, organised by former Vice President of the World Bank, Ms Arunma Oteh, OON, in Abuja. The event also featured the presentation of the Africa Minerals Report, a document described as strategically important not only for Nigeria but for the entire African continent.

In his address, Kalu highlighted that global competition has shifted from traditional manufacturing to new economic frontiers powered by computing, chips, and data. He stressed the need for Nigeria to master these emerging factors of production to secure its prosperity.

“The 10th House of Representatives remains steadfast in advancing laws that will future-proof Nigeria’s economy,” Kalu stated. “Our legislative efforts are geared towards ensuring that our mineral resources drive value addition, green manufacturing, and industrial development within our borders.”

He revealed that over a dozen bills are currently before the House, all aimed at strengthening the solid minerals sector to position Nigeria competitively in areas such as computing power, electric vehicle manufacturing, and artificial intelligence. According to him, the goal is to create a legislative framework that transitions the nation “from extraction to beneficiation, and from natural wealth to tech-driven economic independence.”

Kalu also congratulated Ms Oteh on the public presentation of her new book, All Hands on Deck: Unleash Prosperity through World Class Capital, describing it as a powerful work that “sets a new standard of leadership for Nigeria and Africa.”

He further commended the Oxford Global Think Tank and its partners for driving conversations on transformational leadership and economic innovation across the continent.