Sokoto: Nigeria’s Untapped Treasure Trove of Raw Materials and Investment Potential

Sokoto State, located in Nigeria’s northwest, was created on February 3rd, 1976. Bordered by the Republic of Niger to the North, Kebbi State to the West and South, and Zamfara State to the Southeast, Sokoto is made up of 23 local government areas, with Sokoto city as its capital. The state’s terrain ranges from short-grass savanna in the south to thorn scrub in the north, supporting diverse agricultural and mineral activities.

An Agricultural Heartland

Over 80% of Sokoto’s population is engaged in agriculture, cultivating staples such as millet, onions, maize, rice, groundnuts, carrot, sorghum bicolar and sweet potatoes for both subsistence and commercial use. The state is also known for cash crops like cotton, wheat, and vegetables. Local industries thrive on traditional crafts like blacksmithing, weaving, dyeing, carving, and leatherwork—concentrated in areas like Makera, Marina, Takalmawa, and Majema.

Fishing is another integral part of Sokoto’s economy, especially along the river basins, sustaining communities through both livelihood and trade.

Rich in Raw Materials

Sokoto is abundantly blessed with agricultural and mineral resources that remain largely untapped. The presence of cotton, onions, groundnuts, sorghum, maize, wheat, rice, cassava, and gum Arabic provides fertile ground for agro-allied industries. With irrigation from facilities such as the Goronyo Dam and several lakes, the potential for large-scale farming is substantial.

On the mineral front, Sokoto’s 23 LGAs boast resources like coal (Gada), gold (Dange Shuni, Kebbe, Tureta, Yabo), and tantalite (Dange Shuni, Kebbe, Shagari). Kaolin, gypsum, phosphate rock, and limestone are found in commercial quantities across several LGAs, making the state ideal for industries such as cement, fertilizer, ceramics, and paint production.

Raw Material Breakdown by Local Government Area

Each of Sokoto’s LGAs contributes uniquely to the state’s raw material pool, whether through mineral-based inputs like kaolin, gypsum, phosphate, and limestone or agro-based yields such as millet, tomatoes, sugarcane, and livestock. This extensive local diversity provides a foundational advantage for decentralized industrialization.

Driving Investment through Strategic Programs and Collaborations

The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) Sokoto State office has played a pivotal role in promoting raw material development through stakeholder engagement, sensitization programs, and partnerships with agricultural bodies.

Key initiatives include seed distribution programs in collaboration with the All Farmers Association (AFAN), the Sokoto Agricultural and Community Development Project (supported by IFAD), and the State Ministry of Agriculture. Seeds for castor oil, benni, sweet potato, rice, and tomato were distributed across several LGAs to enhance crop yields and foster agro-industrial growth.

Opportunities for Industrial Growth

Sokoto presents vast opportunities for investment in both agro and mineral sectors:

• Leather Processing: Home to the famed Sokoto Red Goat, the state produces high-quality hides and skins ideal for leather production. Despite its potential, the sector suffers from lack of modern processing facilities. Investment in the proposed hi-tech and smart Common Facility Centre for leather and leather goods could rejuvenate the industry, enhancing export potential and supporting local SMEs.
• Hydrated Lime and Cement Production: As part of Nigeria’s limestone belt, Sokoto holds reserves suitable for hydrated lime and cement production. These can support industries locally and serve export markets in West Africa.
• Phosphate Processing: Establishing a phosphate beneficiation plant would reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imported fertilizer and support national food security. Sokoto’s phosphate deposits, combined with proximity to Sahelian trade routes, make it a strategic location.
• Onion Processing: Sokoto contributes nearly 40% of Nigeria’s onion production, yielding about 800,000 metric tons annually. Processing onions into flakes and powder would reduce post-harvest losses, boost exports under AfCFTA, and create new value chains.

A Call to Action

Sokoto State is sitting on a goldmine of economic potential. However, realizing this promise requires strategic investment, infrastructure development, and partnerships with both local and international stakeholders. With the right support, Sokoto could become a national model for industrialization driven by raw material utilization.

Appendix: Raw Materials and Agricultural Output by Local Government Area

LGA	Mineral-Based Raw Materials	Agro-Based Raw Materials
Binji	Clay, Kaolin, Silica Sand, Potash	Rice, Sorghum, Millet, Tomatoes
Bodinga	Clay, Laterite, Potash	Maize, Guinea Corn, Rice, Cassava
Dange Shuni	Gold, Clay, Phosphate Rock, Limestone, Kaolin	Guinea Corn, Onions, Tomatoes
Gada	Clay, Coal, Potash	Millet, Rice, Sorghum
Goronyo	Gypsum, Clay, Kaolin	Onions, Tomatoes, Sugarcane
Gudu	Phosphate Rock, Kaolin, Potash	Sorghum, Tomatoes, Potatoes
Gwadabawa	Phosphate Rock, Kaolin	Groundnut, Guinea Corn, Maize
Illela	Potash, Clay, Kaolin	Millet, Sorghum, Livestock
Isa	Clay, Phosphate Rock	Guinea Corn, Tomatoes, Maize
Kebbe	Gold, Laterite, Clay	Rice, Guinea Corn, Tomatoes
Kware	Kaolin, Clay, Phosphate Rock	Rice, Maize, Tomatoes, Hides & Skin
Rabah	Gypsum, Potash, Phosphate Rock	Rice, Millet, Groundnut
Sabon Birni	Kaolin, Potash	Groundnut, Tomatoes, Sorghum
Shagari	Kaolin, Tantalite, Laterite	Millet, Potatoes, Livestock
Silame	Kaolin, Potash	Millet, Guinea Corn, Tomatoes
Sokoto North	Kaolin, Silica Sand	Millet, Onions, Maize
Sokoto South	Phosphate Rock, Kaolin	Tomatoes, Maize, Hides & Skin
Tambuwal	Kaolin, Potash	Millet, Groundnut, Onions
Tangaza	Laterite, Kaolin	Sorghum, Cassava, Maize
Tureta	Gold, Potash, Kaolin	Tomatoes, Cassava, Livestock
Wamakko	Kaolin, Clay	Guinea Corn, Tomatoes, Maize
Wurno	Phosphate Rock, Gypsum, Kaolin	Millet, Sorghum, Tomatoes
Yabo	Gold, Clay, Kaolin	Tomatoes, Sorghum, Onions