By Adeyemi Saheed and Afolaranmi Damilare
Talc, widely regarded as the softest mineral known to man, is increasingly gaining recognition as a strategic resource in the global industrial landscape. Chemically defined as hydrous magnesium silicate, the mineral combines properties such as smooth texture, chemical inertness, moisture absorption and thermal resistance, making it indispensable across a wide range of industries.
From everyday consumer products like body powders and paints to high-performance uses in plastics, automotive components, pharmaceuticals and food processing, talc plays a quiet but foundational role in industrial production. Globally, the talc market was valued at about 3.2 billion dollars in 2024, with demand continuing to rise across both manufacturing and consumer sectors. Despite this growing importance, Nigeria has only begun to tap into its vast talc potential.
The country is richly endowed with talc resources, with over 40 million tonnes of proven deposits and broader estimates exceeding 100 million tonnes. These deposits are spread across several states, including Niger, Osun, Kogi, Kaduna, Ogun, Kwara and Taraba. In Osun State, significant deposits have been identified in Iwo and Olorunda Local Government Areas, alongside emerging prospects in Ifelodun, Atakunmosa East, Irewole and Iperindo. Much of Nigeria’s talc occurs within Precambrian schist belts in formations that are relatively accessible and suitable for mining when properly developed.
However, despite this abundance, the sector remains largely underdeveloped. Nigeria continues to export raw or minimally processed minerals while relying heavily on imported finished or semi-processed talc products. This imbalance reflects a broader structural challenge in the solid minerals sector, where value addition and industrial integration remain limited.
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Available industry data shows that Nigeria’s talc production stood at approximately 10,000 metric tonnes in 2022, far below the estimated annual domestic demand of about 50,000 tonnes. This supply gap has resulted in significant dependence on imports. The country sources talc powder and processed talc from more than 30 countries, including China, India and the United States. In a recent 12-month period, over 115 shipments of talc powder were recorded, underscoring the scale of Nigeria’s reliance on foreign inputs.
For a nation with such extensive reserves, this dependence represents both a vulnerability and a missed opportunity, particularly in terms of foreign exchange outflows and exposure to global supply chain disruptions.
Talc’s industrial versatility positions it as a key input across sectors central to Nigeria’s economic diversification drive. In plastics and automotive manufacturing, it enhances stiffness, durability and heat resistance in polymer products. In paints and coatings, it improves texture, coverage and weather resistance. It is also widely used in ceramics and construction materials to strengthen tiles and sanitary wares. In pharmaceuticals and personal care products, talc serves as an absorbent and anti-caking agent, while in agriculture and food processing, it functions as a carrier and prevents clumping in processed goods.
These applications cut across critical sectors such as manufacturing, housing, healthcare and agriculture, reinforcing talc’s role as a vital enabler of industrial growth.
A major barrier to investment in Nigeria’s mineral sector has historically been limited access to reliable and structured data. To address this gap, the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), a parastatal under the Federal Ministry of Innovation Science and Technology (FMIST) has introduced digital platforms such as the Nigerian Information Statistical System for Raw Materials and Products and the Raw Materials Information System. These platforms provide comprehensive databases covering thousands of raw materials, offering investors access to location-specific data, quality specifications, industrial applications, technical reports and feasibility insights.
Beyond data provision, the Council has taken concrete steps to deepen local value addition and industrial utilization of talc. In collaboration with the Sheda Science and Technology Complex, it developed laboratory-scale process technology capable of producing industrial and pharmaceutical-grade talc from deposits in Kagara and Isanlu. This breakthrough has enhanced Nigeria’s capacity to convert raw talc into high-value products that meet industry standards, thereby supporting local manufacturing across multiple sectors.
Building on this achievement, the Council established a 3,000-tonnes-per-annum catalytic talc processing plant in Kagara, fitted with locally fabricated equipment including jaw crushers, hammer mills and flotation cells. The initiative has contributed to reducing dependence on imported technical-grade talc while also promoting indigenous engineering capabilities. The processing technology has been patented, and the resulting talc products have undergone industrial evaluation by major companies such as Unilever Nigeria Plc and GlaxoSmithKline. The outcomes of these assessments confirmed the products’ suitability for commercial use.
In addition to processing advancements, ongoing exploration efforts have led to the identification of new talc occurrences across the country. Notably, significant deposits have been confirmed in Papa village in Iwo Local Government Area and Ota Efun in Olorunda Local Government Area of Osun State. The Council’s innovation also extends to by-product utilization, as ferric oxide generated during processing has been tested and found suitable for application in the match production industry. These integrated efforts highlight a growing commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s mineral value chain and reducing reliance on imports.
The economic potential of expanding the talc industry remains substantial. Increased mining and processing activities could generate employment across the value chain, from extraction to logistics and manufacturing. Local production would also reduce input costs for domestic industries, enhancing their competitiveness. In addition, import substitution could conserve foreign exchange, while improved beneficiation and quality standards could position Nigeria as a competitive exporter in the global talc market.
As global demand continues to grow, driven by sectors such as plastics, automotive manufacturing, cosmetics and environmentally sustainable materials, Nigeria has a timely opportunity to establish itself as a reliable supplier of industrial talc.
Nevertheless, several challenges must be addressed to unlock this potential. These include limited processing and beneficiation infrastructure, low levels of mechanization in mining operations, infrastructure deficits particularly in power and transportation, insufficient private sector participation and historically inadequate dissemination of geological data.
Addressing these constraints will require coordinated efforts. Policy measures that incentivize investment in mineral processing, alongside strengthened public-private partnerships, will be critical. Continued emphasis on research, data transparency and infrastructure development will also play a key role in building investor confidence and driving sectoral growth.
Though soft in composition, talc holds strong economic promise. For Nigeria, it represents more than just a mineral resource; it offers a strategic pathway to industrialization, economic diversification and deeper integration into global markets. With vast reserves, rising domestic demand and increasing global relevance, the foundation for a thriving talc industry is already in place.
What remains is a deliberate shift from raw extraction to value-added production. By strengthening processing capacity, leveraging data-driven platforms and fostering investment, Nigeria can transform talc from an underutilized resource into a true industrial backbone capable of driving jobs, innovation and sustainable economic growth.
