What is YouWin ? Also meet one You Win winner

What Is YouWiN!?

YouWiN! stands for Youth Enterprise with Innovation in Nigeria. It is an innovative business plan competition aimed at job creation by encouraging and supporting aspiring entrepreneurial youth in Nigeria to develop and execute business ideas.

"Don't Just Trade. Manufacture." - YouWin Winner

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  Join us as we analyze the impact of the YouWin! programme and the state of entrepreneurship with our second interview with an awardee from the South-East Nigeria.
  
  
  Transparent Nigeria: Can you provide us a little more background on yourself? Where are you from and what does your company do?
  
  
  Attuh Ifeanyi Paul: My name is Mr. Attuh Ifeanyi Paul. I am thirty years old and I am from Ishiagu Village in Umuabi, Udi L.G.A, Enugu State, Nigeria. I have my first degree in Industrial Chemistry from Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki and my Master’s degree from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka where I majored in Environmental Chemistry. My quest in entrepreneurship started in the year 1999, during my secondary school days when we had an exhibition of locally made products. This prompted my desire to choose Industrial Chemistry as my course of study during my first degree days since almost everyone that took part in the products exhibition were either industrial chemists or biochemists.
  
  
  However, my desire to venture into cosmetic manufacturing was borne out of the experience I gathered during my Industrial Training programme. When I graduated in 2006, I spent the first four years of my post NYSC working in manufacturing industries as a production Chemist which rekindled my dream of being a manufacturer.
  
  
  My company is B’Nice Chemical and Allied Industries, a cosmetic products manufacturer. Having been in Research and Development Department in one of the renowned manufacturing Industries in Nigeria, I had the privilege to research and develop products that offer lasting solutions to the effects of microorganisms on the human body and hair. As a result, our products are top-of-the-line, such as our Anti-Dandruff Shampoo and Conditioner, second-to-none in the fight against dandruff. It’s one the most sought after Anti-Dandruff products on the market. Our product line includes: Anti-Dandruff Shampoo, Anti-Dandruff conditioner, Fruit Bath, Hand Wash, Air Freshener, Styling Gel, and Hair food.
• • TN: What made you want to start this business?
    
    
    Attuh: I started my company because the federal Government made it possible through YouWiN programme, bringing into fulfillment my yearning to contribute to national development by creating employment opportunities for our teeming population. Also, I believe that entrepreneurship is the pivot of industrialization and that industrialization is the driving force of economic development of every nation, thus making it a vital instrument that is invaluable if my dear nation is to actualize her vision of 20:2020 (Nigeria 20:2020). Furthermore, I started my business because it is a very lucrative one that can generate enough profit to sustain and expand it.
    
    
    TN: How did you get into this line of business?
    
    
    Attuh: I got into my line of business (cosmetic manufacturing) as a result of the experience I gathered during my Industrial Training programme. Also having been in Research and Development Department in one of the renowned manufacturing Industries in Nigeria, I had the privilege to research and develop some pilot products in cosmetics.
    
    
    TN: What were some of the challenges you encountered before YouWiN?
    
    
    Attuh: Despite my desire to become an entrepreneur, I never realized this dream due to a lack of financial capital. Moreover, my attempts to access money from any of the banks proved futile as a result of high interest rates and the lack of the required collateral.
    
    
    TN: Have you had any challenges since becoming an awardee?
    
    
    Attuh: After becoming a YouWiN Awardee, the major challenge faced by my company has been how to keep up with the demands of the National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), from infrastructure, product registration and so on.
  • In
    
    • addition, due to the high financial capital requirement of manufacturing activities in Nigeria, the company is still faced with financial challenges to acquire automated machines to enable us to keep up with market demand.
      
      
      TN: How has your experience been with the YouWiN process?
      
      
      Attuh: YouWiN is a very transparent programme that has restored the hope and confidence of Nigerian youths.  This was proven further to me on my emergence not just as one of the awardees, but as one of those deemed qualified to attend the presidential award ceremony at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential villa on the 12th of April, 2012 even when I do not know anybody at the top echelon of Nigerian governance. Yes, YouWiN is real and transparent and I wish every other programme in Nigeria could be as transparent as this life changing programme.
      
      
      TN: How much did you receive from the YouWiN grant?
      
      
      Attuh: I received a total sum of Ten Million Naira from the YouWiN grant.
      
      
      As a starter in my line of business, the amount given to me is enough to enable me start my business. But, considering the demand of my products due to their good quality, there is now need for us to acquire more machines to enable us compete favorably with other multinationals in the market which will not only increase our turnover but will as well create more job opportunities for unemployed youths. As of today, we have been able to directly employ eight permanent staff and indirectly more than eleven personnel. I believe a little more financial support will enable us to double this number before the end of the first quarter of 2014.
      
      
      TN: What do you believe the government can do to help businesses?
      
      
      Attuh: The government can help businesses in Nigeria by creating enabling environment for businesses to thrive. This can come from infrastructural development, improvement in the power sector, construction of roads, initiating low taxes for new businesses, placing a ban on some of the imported products in which we now have local alternatives, and reducing/removing the bottle necks involved in the registration of new businesses in Nigeria.
    • • 
        
        
        TN: What is the future of your business?
        
        
        Attuh: The future of my business is very bright since after just one year, we have not just sustained the business of cosmetic manufacturing but have also expanded into other businesses such as table water production. However, in the next year we intend to expand into the manufacturing of fruit juice and other non-alcoholic beverages believing that with just little more support, our brands will be a household name in manufacturing sector in Nigeria. With the quality of our products, we are poised to compete favorably with multinationals that have siphoned the economy of this country for over five decades. Yes we can.
        
        
        TN: Do you have a message for YouWiN administrators or government officials?
        
        
        Attuh: I want to express my profound gratitude to the initiators, sponsors and administrators of the YouWiN Programme. Indeed, the intent of establishing this noble programme has been worthwhile. Posterity shall remember this administration led by our amiable president Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and the Minister of Finance and coordinator of Nigerian economy Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. This wonderful initiative has not only proffered solutions to the immediate needs of Nigerian youths, but has also secured a future for our unborn generations.
        
        
        TN: Do you have a message for the Nigerian business community in general?
        
        
        Attuh: My message to Nigerian business men and women is that the hour has come for all and sundry to put hands on deck and work concertedly in supporting the Transformation Agenda of this present administration which is designed to better the life of every Nigerian citizen. I want to encourage our business owners to venture into the manufacturing of the products they import or trade. As said by business mogul Aliko Dangote, “Don’t just trade on products but manufacture them.
      • • ” This I believe, will increase our country’s GDP and create more employment opportunities to our teeming youths, thereby placing our dear nation in the right footing in the comity of nations.
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        • source: www.transparentnigeria.com

How Rice is Processed

How to process Rice
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dT6gjb48_N0
This link takes you to a video on how production takes place. Hope you will enjoy it and be motivated to engage in rice production.

Investing in Rice Production

Motivated by its population size and the rising Nigerian staple food, Nigeria has become the largest consumer of rice in Africa. The country produces 4.2 million metric tones of about 6 million metric tones it consumes. The 4.2 million tones of production is done on 2.8 million hectares of farm land. Nigeria is also the largest importer of rice in Africa, accounting for 25 percent of Africa's import. On the basis of population growth and rural - urban migration, the consumption of rice in the country can only grow. How will this growth be met?
The growth in consumption of rice can only be met either by increased production or by increased import, and both have different ramifications for the Nigerian economy. If the growth in import should continue, it means very soon, the proportion of imported rice consumed in Nigeria will be greater than that produced in the country. Thus, rice will soon join the league of thousands of products that Nigerians have to almost exclusively rely on imports for consumption purposes. But if the required investments are made, the story can be different. Nigeria can, not only become self- sufficient in rice production but be also able to export to other countries.
The main reasons for poor productivity and produce in rice are also the same for the whole of agriculture in Nigeria. These reasons stem from the fact that we have erroneously reduced agriculture support to provision of fertilizer. But nations that have managed to improve agriculture have done so by working on all aspects of the economy that has implications for agricultural produce. For instance, Christopher Okeke, an agriculture analyst believes Nigerian agriculture suffers from a highly agricultural credit system, inadequate or absent infrastructure of irrigation, facilities, roads and storage services etc, limited availability of appropriate varieties and primordial inputs and markets.
Specifically on rice, hitherto local farm yields in Nigeria are 1.5 metric tonnes per hectare and the quality is poor and unacceptable in urban markets. It is characterized by subsistence farming, low inputs, non-certified seeds, manual labour, low level of knowledge and training, single harvest, lack of irrigation facilities, etc. In a nutshell, there is very little investment in this sector and rice farms can do better than they are doing now.
According to Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) Food Outlook Global Market Analysis, published recently, in line with earlier expectations, international prices of the major traded rice varieties have been weakening in the past several months. The analysis notes that although declining, rice export prices continued to be underpinned by export restrictions and producer price support in major exporting countries, which had the effect of withholding supplies away from world markets. This goes to explain the rising rice prices in Nigeria maybe as a result of short supply from exporting countries.
The rice issue is an offshoot of the policy inconsistencies that the Nigerian agriculture sector has been subjected to in recent times. Cassava and palm oil were victims of policy inconsistencies. In one breath, the Federal Government introduced policies that encouraged the local production of these commodities and in another breath it came up with policies that worked against this nationalistic move. Nigeria's rice policy has been inconsistent over the years, oscillating between high import tariffs, import restrictions, and outright ban. For instance, between 1986 and 1994, rice imports were illegal. In 1995, imports were allowed at 100 per cent tariff. In 1996, the tariff was reduced to 50 per cent and came full cycle to 100 per cent in 2002 and partially in 2008. How can we make progress with rice under this kind of circumstance?
What do we do? Nigeria must not miss the huge economic opportunity in rice production highlighted above. The potentials are there. The untapped arable land is there. We have the capacity to provide the required farm inputs that can robustly transform rice production. We must not allow food importation policies to kill research initiatives and farmers' enthusiasm to give national research breakthroughs a trial. Most importantly, we need the political will of Asian countries like India, Thailand, Cambodia, Pakistan, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines to address issues of food insecurity especially through improved funding of agricultural research systems. Nigeria can be a net exporter of rice too with New Rice for Africa (NERICA), a product of the cross breeding of Oriza glaberima African rice, with the Asian Oriza sativa. Afterall, African rice has been given recognition in research centers because it is resistant to major rice diseases and pests in Africa. Our Ofada which is currently a popular menu in fast food centres can take us there too if rightly handled

Source:Business Day Online

Tony Elumelu makes $123million in 3 weeks

According to Forbes Africa, former United Bank for Africa (UBA) Managing director, and chairman of Heirs Holdings, Tony Elumelu made $123million in just three weeks. Wow! Read below...

From Forbes

It’s just paper gains, but it counts. Nigerian banker Tony O. Elumelu has become at least $123 million richer between November 1 and November 21 as shares of Transcorp PLC, a Nigerian-Stock Exchange-listed conglomerate, surged 186% in that period.

Transnational Corporation Of Nigeria, usually referred to as Transcorp, is an emerging conglomerate holding investments in hotels, power and agriculture. On November 1, the company’s stock was trading at N1.87 ($0.01), and at the close of trading today (Thursday), the stock was trading at N5.35 ($5.35). According to an analyst who did not want to be quoted, there has been an unprecedented demand for Transcorp’s shares at the bourse on account of the company’s recent acquisition of the Ughelli Power plant, a strategic power generation company that the government recently sold in a privatization exercise.

Transcorp PLC, under Elumelu’s leadership, acquired the plant for $300 million. Transcorp officially took over the plant on November 1. Investors are scrambling for the stock in anticipation of the long-term impact the new acquisition will likely have on Transcorp’s financial results.

Elumelu began gobbling up shares in the company in April 2011 through his wholly-owned proprietary investment vehicle, Heirs Holdings. In September 2011, he was appointed chairman of the company, promising to diversify the company’s business interests and deliver value to shareholders – promises he seems to have delivered on. He currently owns over 5.7 billion shares of the company (5,745,890,693 to be exact, according to Transcorp’s latest corporate filings), held in his own name and via Heirs Holdings, equating to a 22.26% stake, making him the company’s largest individual shareholder. His shares in Transcorp alone are now valued at N30.7 billion or $188 million.  A representative for Elumelu could not be reached for comment at press time.

Elumelu made his fortune by acquiring a small, struggling Nigerian commercial bank and building it into the United Bank of Africa Group, a leading financial services institution with operations in several African countries as well as in New York and London. He stepped down as the bank’s CEO in 2010 to focus on investing in African businesses through his private investment vehicle, Heirs Holdings and to groom Africa’s next generation of business leaders through his Tony Elumelu Foundation.

Nigeria will sell Oil refineries next year

Are you an Investor? Get prepared to invest in Nigeria oil refineries. Nigeria government is about to give investors another great opportunity.

NIGERIA, Africa’s largest oil producer, plans to begin privatizing its four state-owned oil refineries before the end of the first quarter, Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke said.

Alison-Madueke said in an interview with Bloomberg TV Africa in London, “We would like to see major infrastructural entities such as refineries moving out of government hands into the private sector. Government does not want to be in the business of running major infrastructure entities and we haven’t done a very good job at it over all these years.

A presidential audit of the facilities last year recommended their sale due to inadequate government funding and “sub-optimal performance.” The refineries, which have a combined 445,000 barrel-a-day capacity, should be privatized within 18 months, according to the report submitted to President Goodluck Jonathan in November 2012. Nigeria, a member of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, produced 1.99 million barrels a day of crude in October, data compiled by Bloomberg show.

While Nigeria is also Africa’s top crude exporter and the most populous with more than 160 million people, it relies on fuel imports to meet more than 70 percent of its needs. Its state-owned plants operate at a fraction of their capacity because of poor maintenance and aging equipment. Nigeria also exchanges 60,000 barrels a day of crude for products with Trafigura Beheer BV and a similar amount with Societe Ivoirienne de Raffinage’s refinery in Ivory Coast, according to Nigeria National Petroleum Corp.

“We are right now undergoing a major turnaround maintenance program” of the refineries, Alison-Madueke said.

Improvements to the two-unit 210,000 barrel-a-day Port Harcourt refinery, the country’s biggest, will be completed by the end of the year, to be followed by enhancements at the Warri and Kaduna sites in 2014, according to the NNPC. Warri has a daily processing capacity of 125,000 and Kaduna 110,000 barrels.

Towards the end of former President Obasanjo’s administration in 2007, the refineries were sold to companies owned by billionaire Aliko Dangote and Femi Otedola, but the sale was reversed by the President Musa Yar’Adua government that took over from Obasanjo

- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com

10 Reasons to Invest in Nigeria

• Abundant Resources: Nigeria has enormous resources, most of which are yet to be fully exploited. They include mineral, agricultural and human resources.
• Large Market: Nigeria offers the market in sub-Saharan Africa, with a population of about 120 million people. The Nigerian market potential also stretches into the growing West African sub-region.
• Political Stability: Nigeria offers stable political environment.
• Free Market Economy: The Government has created a favorable climate for business and industrial ventures. Administrative and bureaucratic procedures have been greatly streamlined. The Government has put in place policies and programmes that guarantee a free market economy.
• Robust Private Sector: The country has a dynamic private sector, which has assured greater responsibilities under the new economic environment.
• Free Flow of Investment: Exchange control regulations have been liberalized to ensure free flow of international finance. There is now unrestricted movement of investment capital.
• Attractive Incentives: A comprehensive package of incentives has been put in place to attract investment.
• Fast Growing Financial Sector: There is well-developed banking and financial sector. The investor has easy access to working capital and other credit facilities.
• Skilled and Low Cost Labour: There is an abundance of skilled labour at an economic cost, resulting in production costs, which are among the lowest in Africa.
• Infrastructure: Rapid development of physical and industrial infrastructure, in terms of transportation, communications, electricity and water supply.

Source: Nigeria Investment Promotion Commision (NIPC)

List of Major Tourist Centers in Nigeria

TOURISM SECTOR

The Federal Government of Nigeria in its determined efforts to develop and promote tourism into an economically viable industry had in 1991 evolved a tourism policy.  The main thrust of the policy is to make Nigeria a prominent tourism destination in Africa, generate foreign exchange, encourage even development, promote tourism-based rural enterprises, generate employment, accelerate rural-urban integration and foster socio-cultural unity among the various regions of the country through the promotion of domestic and international tourism.  It also aims at encouraging active private sector participation in tourism development.

INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN THE TOURISM SECTOR.

The following special investment potentials exist within the country:

-      Overland Safaris

-      National Parks

-      Game and Gorilla viewing

-      Deep Sea Recreational Fishing

-      Lake and River Fishing

-      Archaeological Tours

-      Beach Resorts and Hotels

-      Transportation-Water, land and sea

-      Surfing and snorkeling

-      Theme Parks and Exposition

MAJOR TOURIST CENTRES IN NIGERIA.

Tourism is relatively a budding enterprise in Nigeria but owing to Nigeria's potentials, it has undergone a gradual but progressive evolution in the past three decades.

Nigeria is a country greatly endowed. It is blessed with warm, sundry climate, over 800 kilometers of fascinating beaches and evergreen vegetation in the South, while in the North, alluring landforms overshadows savannah grasslands. Added to these are the interesting natural features in form of water falls, springs, hills, some mountainous areas with temperate like climate and a range of special and common species of tropical wildlife. These, coupled with wide market opportunities, diverse socio-cultural heritage that gives the nation its uniqueness and the hospitality of the 140 million people earn Nigeria the sobriquet, GIANT OF AFRICA.

It is almost impossible to deny Nigeria its pride of place amongst the richly endowed potential tourist destinations in the world.

Places of Interest (Tourist Attractions in Nigeria)

Tourist attractions in Nigeria can be classified as follows:

1. Natural Attractions: There are abundant physical attractions, which include hills, caves, springs, lakes and mountains across the entire country. These fascinating features and alluring scenes are good sites for leisure, adventure and other tourism-related endeavours. Example of these physical attractions are old Oyo National Park, Yankari Games Reserve in Bauchi; Obudu (Protea) Cattle Ranch, in cross River State and the Jos Wildlife Park in Plateau State.

2. Man-made Attractions: These are man made sites created for the purpose of relaxation. These include the Rayfield Holiday Resorts in Jos, the Bower's Tower in Ibadan and various amusement parks that dots the length and breadth of Nigeria's major towns and cities.

3. National Parks: National Parks are special natural ecosystems with unique attributes. They play unquantifiable roles vital to national/regional well-being as well as act as a catalyst for the development of eco-tourism. They also enhance ecological processes and life support systems such as soil regeneration, protection of nutrient cycles, cleansing and purifying hydrological cycles. There are eight such parks in Nigeria. They are: 

i. Yankari National Park: This is situated within Duguri, Pali and Gwana District of Alkeri local Government Area of Bauchi State. It could be reached by road from Jos Airport through Bauchi State route and from Kano through Jos-Bauchi route.

Tourist Facilities: The Park has 110 visitors’ chalets categorized along student/low income hotel, a standard restaurant, conference hall, in-door and out-door sport facilities such as table tennis, squash racket, badminton etc. There are species of large mammals like elephants, harte beasts, hippopotami, lions and about 153 known species of birds, fish, reptiles, and monkeys. It is also rich in ethno-historical and archaeological attractions.

ii. Kainji Lake National Park: This is closely linked with the famous Kainji lake oil hydroelectric complex. It lies between Borgu and Zugurma sectors of Kwara State. It can be reached through Lokoja, from Lagos through Ibadan, Ilorin and Jebba. The park is full of diverse wildlife, a variety of ethno-historical and cultural sites amongst which are Kobs, antelopes, hippopotami, lions etc.

Tourist Facilities: Available in the park are chalets restaurants, conference hall and a waterbus for lake cruising.

iii. Old Oyo National Park: This is located in the Northern part of Oyo State. It is rich in fauna and flora resources significant species of animals of which are the buttons, kobs, buffaloes, bushbuck and wide variety of birds. The park is close to cities like Ibadan, Ogbomosho, Oshogbo, Abeokuta, Lagos, Saki, Iseyin etc. These are cities and towns that have commercial and rich traditional impacts in Nigeria.

Tourist Facilities: Facilities available include chalets, tourist camps, standard restaurant, air conditioned bus and facilities for boat cruise and sport fishing etc.

iv. Gashaka Gumte National Park: This park is regarded as the most scenic of all the parks in the country. It is full of natural scenery such as mountains, valleys, rivers, streams etc. It also has pleasant sub temperate climate and a home to some very highly endangered species of wild life. The Gashaka Gumte National Park comprises two sectors, each rich in its own unique flora and fauna species. The Gumte sector is located in its Northern fringe while the Gashaka is on the Southern fringe. The twin park is regarded as the largest in Nigeria and situates on a vast land of mountains and valleys shared between two states: Adamawa and Taraba in the North-East of Maiduguri, Jalingo, Yola and Republic of Cameroon.

Tourist Attractions: The Park contains some historic sites, one of which is the old German Fort at the Gashaka hill. Gangarwal peak of the chapal wadi mountain in range located in the park is the highest peak in Nigeria. The fauna include chimpanzees, cheetah, leopards, giant forest hog, colombus monkeys etc. The park is also a spawning ground for some fish species such as Nile perch, electric fish, Tilapia etc.

v. Chad Basin National Park: It situates between Borno and Yobe States. The wetlands of Bade and Buguru are internationally acclaimed as congregation site for migrant birds coming all the way from Europe. The park contains some rare desert-fronted gazelle etc.

vi. Cross River National Park: This is about an hour's drive from Calabar and can also be linked through the Port Harcourt route. It is in the forest zone of South East Nigeria. It has two sectors, the Southern urban division near Calabar and the Northern Okwangwo near Obudu.

Tourist Facilities: The Park is home to many localized species of plants and animals which include gorillas, drills, chimpanzee, an gwantibo, or golden potto forest elephant, saleginella species.

vii. Okomu National Park: It is located in Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo State. It lies 45km West of Benin City and immediately South of Udo town; it can be linked from Lagos and Warri. This park is endowed with forest elephants Loxodants Africana, buffaloes, red river hogs, Chimpanzees, leopards, white throated guenos. Okomu is also rich in bird life.

Tourist Facilities: Ranger escorts, canoeing and sports, panoramic view of the park can also be enjoyed.

viii. Kamuku National Park: It falls wholly within the Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The park could be reached through the Kaduna-Lagos route from the South - West and North-East and with central parts of the country. From Abuja, the park is 305km, from Lagos, it is 780km and from Kaduna, it is 125km. The park has Elephants, Antelopes, Oribi water busts, Hunting dogs, Wet cats, Green Monkeys, side-stripped Hyena and Jackal. A wide variety of birds also are found in the park.

4. Eco-Tourism and Recreation: Park viewing and bird watching are prominent recreation activities. Others are hiking among the trails. The Dogon Ruwa waterfall has a high potential for the development of swimming pool. The rocks are not only fascinating but are good training grounds for mountaineering and endurance training.  

5. Cultural Attractions: These are activities based on people's ways of life expressed as religious beliefs, colourful festivals, dance, songs, artworks etc. The cultural assets of Nigeria are amongst the most fascinating in Africa, some of which include the Osun Oshogbo festival, Osun State, Eyo festival in Lagos, Kano/Katsina Durbar, Argungu in Kebbi State and Mmanwu festival in the South Eastern Nigeria.

6. Museum and Monuments: Nigeria is enriched with finest collections of Arts and Crafts as well as archaeological relics showing our historical past like Terra-Cotta head from the old Nok Culture, the famous Benin Bronze art works and the Yoruba's exciting sculptures. These great varieties of ancient relics can be found in all the branches of Nigeria national museums.

7. Nigerian Crafts: Crafts are symbols of Nigeria's material and spiritual heritage. Crafts are well integrated into the living patterns of Nigerians and inseparable from their spiritual philosophies. They are therefore prized objects for the promotion and preservation of tourism. Nigerian crafts are grouped into textiles, pottery and ceramics, fiber crafts, bronze, brass and iron works, woodworks, calabash decorations, leather works, ivory, jewelry etc.

8. Conference/Business Tourism: Conference/Business Tourism is a veritable area of tourism in which Nigeria is selling fast her credentials to the rest of the world community. There is an international conference center located in the Central Business District of Abuja, which can comfortably host any conference of international standard. The elegant ECOWAS secretariat located in Asokoro District of the FCT is also complementing its service. It serves as the Administrative Headquarters of the Economic Community of West African State with facilities for international conference. The international conference centre serves as venue for conference, seminars and conventions. It has an auditorium with a sitting capacity of 2,000 and other smaller committee rooms with communication equipment and gadgets capable of translating at least four languages simultaneously. The centre is located along Herbert Macaulay Way in Garki District in Abuja.

9. Sports Tourism: Nigeria can pride itself in the area of sport tourism. It has produced sport and soccer veterans whose names are today household names as far as sport tourism is concerned such leading veterans include Chioma Ajunwa, Akeem Olajuwon, John Fashanu, Bash Ali, Nwankwo Kanu, Jay Jay Okocha, Daniel Amokachi, Taribo West and Sunday Oliseh etc. Nigeria hosted the 1999 edition of World Soccer Championship in Lagos, an event that brought to Nigeria at least over 60 countries around the world. In 1984, young talented Nigerians captured the Maiden Kodak under 16 world cup held in China and in 1996, the flying Eagles, Nigeria's Junior National Team, made an impressive outing at the Olympics held in Atlanta. Nigeria   hosted the  All Africa Games in Abuja  2003. This was an evidence of the hospitality and level of sports development in Nigeria.

State By State Highlights of Tourist Attractions In Nigeria.

State	Capital	Attraction/Description
ABIA	UMUAHIA	Arochukwu Caves, Natural/Physical attraction * National War Museum Monument Umuahia. * Akwette Weaving Centre Arts and Crafts (Souvenirs) * Long juju of Arochukwu Cultural festivals * Azumini Bule River Natural/Man-made Tourist Village. * Museum of Colonial History Monument
ADAMAWA	YOLA	Gashaka Gumti National Park, Eco-Tourism (Wildlife) * Sukur (UNESCO World Monument Heritage Site) * Lamurde Hot Spring Natural/Physical * Modibbo Adam's Tomb Monument * Three Sister Rocks Monument * Mandara Mountains Natural/Physical * Kiri Dam Natural/Physical
AKWA	UYO	Ibeno Sand Beach/ Natural/man-made IBOM Mobil oil treatment * Ekpo Masquerade festival Cultural * Oron Museum, Oron Museum/ Monument * Mary Slessor House/ Monument Tomb
ANAMBRA	AWKA	Ogbunike Caves Natural/Physical * Rojeny Tourist Village Man-made Oba * Mmanwu Festival Enugu Cultural * Agulu lake/Gully Natural * Aguleri Game Reserve Eco-Tourism * Igbo Ukwu Archaelogical Monuments Reservations
BAUCHI	BAUCHI	Marshal Caves, Yankari Natural Park * Wikki Warm Spring, Natural Yankari Park * Tafawa Balewa Tomb Monument * Lame/Bura Game Wildlife/Eco- Reserve Tourism * Geji Rock Painting Monuments
BAYELSA	YENAGOA	Oloibiri Oil Museum Museum/ Monument * Slale Transit Hall Resort/Man-made * Igidi Shrine Cultural
BENUE	MAKURDI	Ushongo Hills, Ushongo Natural/Physical DI * Ikwe Holiday Resort Natural/Man-made * Enemabia Warm Spring, Natural Okpoya * Kwag-hir Puppet Festival, Cultural (Nov./ Gboko/Makurdi Dec.) Souvenir * Dajo Pottery, Makurdi Traditional * TIV Anger Weavers, Monument Ajikpo * J.S. Tarka Foundation Cultural Centre, Makurdi * Montane Game Reserve Wildlife/Eco- Tourism * The Rare Manatee, Natural Katsina-Ala River
BORNO	MAIDUGURI	Laffy falls, Kuya L.G.A. Natural * Chad Basin National Eco-Tourism Park * Abba Kari Zoo, Maiduguri- Eco-Tourism * Gwoza Hills Natural * Sambisa Game Reserve Wildlife/Eco- Tourism * Kyarimi Amusement Resort/Man-made Park
CROSS RIVER	CALABAR	Kwa falls, Kuya L.G.A. Natural RIVER * Agbokim falls, Ikom Natural L.G.A. * Obudu Cattle Ranch Resort (Man- made) * Coercopan, Ishie Close, zoo Calabar * Cross River National Park Eco-Tourism/ Wildlife * Drill Ranch, Calabar Zoo * Ekpe Masquerade Cultural * National Museum Monument * Rock with foot prints National
DELTA	ASABA	Chief Nana's Palace Cultural * Koko Port Natural/Man-made * Escravo's Beach Natural/Man-made
EBONYI	ABAKALIKI	Umuana  Afikpo Golden Natural Lake Sand Beach
EDO	BENIN	Fugar Caves Physical * Okomu Wildlife Eco-Tourism Sanctuary * Igwe Festival Benin Cultural  (September) * Igun Bronze Casting, Souvenir/Cultural Benin City * Oba's Palace, Benin Cultural * Ramat Park Monument * Sakpoba Holiday Resort.Man-made Resort * Asoro Shrine Cultural/ Traditional Rel. * Samorikal Hills Physical
EKITI	ADO	Erinta Falls, Ekiti West Physical L.G.A. * Olosunta Hills, Ikere Physical * Ikogosi, Warm Spring Natural
ENUGU	ENUGU	Mmanwu Festival Cultural * Nike Holiday Resort Natural/Man-made * Ezeagu Tourist Complex Man-made * Nkalagu Silicon Sand Physical * Uzo-Uwani Natural Nature's Wonder * Iva Valley Coal Mine Natural
FCT	ABUJA	Abuja Amusement Park, Resort/Man-made Zone 1, Wuse * Abuja Gardens, Central Resort/man-made Area * Abuja Zoological Garden, Zoo/Man-made Area 1, Garki * ECOWAS Secretariat Man-made * Women Development Resort/Man-made Centre * Abuja Plant Nursery Physical/Man- made * Aso Rock Physical/Natural * Usman Dam Man-made * IBB Golf Course Sports Tourism * Jabi Dam and Holiday Man-made/Resort Resort
GOMBE	GOMBE	Tula Highlands/Hills Physical* The Famous Tangale Dome Shaped Rock/Hill Formation Physical * Dadin Kowa Dam/Tomatoes Factory & Farms Man-made * Buba Yero Tomb * Ashaka Cement Factory Man-made
IMO	OWERRI	Oguta Lake Holiday Resort, Natural Man-made Oguta * Ikeji Festival, Arondizogu Cultural * Palm Beach Holiday Resort, Awo-Amana Man-made/Natural * Zoological and Botanical Garden Nekede * Amusement Park, Owerri Zoo/Man-made
JIGAWA	DUTSE	Hadejia/Ngum Wetlands and Bird Sanctuary, Jigawa Eco-Tourism/Wildlife * Binin Kudu Rock Painting Natural/Man-made * Ringim Dyeing Pits Cultural * Baturiya Birds Sanctuary Wildlife * Wowan Rafi Lake Natural
KADUNA	KADUNA	Luggard Hall and Government Monument Bridge * General Hassan Usman Park, Man-made Kaduna * Nok Terra Cotta, Nok Village, Cultural Kaduna * National Museum Museum/Monument * Emir of Zazzau's Palace, Zaria Cultural * Jakaranda Pottery, Kaduna Souvenir
KANO	KANO	Roxy Amusement Park, Airport Road, Kano Man-made * Cooky Amusement Park, Kano Man-made * Hills and Valleys Amusement Park Dawakin Kudu Junction, Kano Man-made * Bagauda Lake/Tiga Lake Resort Man-made * Tourist Camp, Kano Man-made * Audu Bako Zoo, Kano Man-made * Kano Salla Durbar Cultural * Gidan Makama Museum Monument/Museum * Emir of Kano's Palace Cultural * Kofar Mata Dyeing Pit, Kano Cultural * Bagauda Lake Resort Conference Centre, Kano Man-made/Business Tourism
KASTINA	KASTINA	300 years old Gobarau Minaret Katsina Monument/Cultural * 10th Century Kusugu Well, Monument/Cultural Daura * Emir of Katsina Palace Cultural * 11th Century KASTINA City Walls of 7 gates Monument/Cultural * Jibia Holiday Resort, Jibia Resort/Man-made
KEBBI	BIRNIN KEBBI	Argungu Fishing Festival Natural/Physical * Kanta Museum, Argungu Museum/Monument * Girmace Shrine, Zuru Cultural/Traditional Religion
KOGI	LOKOJA	Ita-Okueta Weaving, Okene Cultural * Ata Igala's Palace, Idah Cultural * Inikpi (Shrine) Statue Idah Cultural * Kpata Rock, Bassa Physical * Confluence Zone, Lokoja Natural * Relics of Colonial History, Natural Lokoja * Lord Luggard's Residence & Office, Lokoja Monument * Warlord War Cenotaph Monument * Iron of Liberty Monument
KWARA	ILORIN	Owu Water Falls, Owa Kajola Natural * Wreckage of Mungo Park Boat, Monuments Jebba * Owe Kajita Falls Physical * Owu Water Falls, Owu Physical * Tomb of Past Emirs, Ilorin Monument * Ubo Aiyegunle Lakes Physical
LAGOS	IKEJA	Bar Beach, Lagos Physical/Man-made * Badagry Beach, Lagos Physical/Man-made * Kaiyetoro Maiyegun Beach Physical/Man-made * Eleko Beach Physical/Man-made * Lekki Peninsula Physical/Man-made * Tarkwa Bay, Lagos Physical/Man-made * Water Parks, Toyin Street, Ikeja Man-made Resort * Apapa Amusement Park Resort/Man-made * Frankid Leisure Park, Festac Resort/Man-made * Whispering Palms  Iworo- Physical/Man-made Badagry * Lekki Conservation Centre Man-made * National Museum, Onikan Museum/Monument * Slave Relics Badagry Monument * First Storey Building, Badagry Monument * MUSON Centre, Onikan Man-made * National Theatre, Iganmu Man-made * Oba's Palace  Lagos Cultural* Igbo Igunun, cultural
NASSARAWA	LAFIA	Peperuwa Lake Physical/Eco-Tourism * Late Captain Maloney Tomb/ Monument Hills * Oku Akpa Picnic Centre Physical * Ogan Fishing and Cultural Cultural Festival * Akiri Warm Spring with Curative Power in Awe L.G.A. Cultural * Akiri Salt Village, 145km, from Lafia Town Natural * Doma Dam, Doma L.G.A. Eco-Tourism * Dyeing Pits and Calabash Carving in Lafia Cultural/Souvenir Arts & Crafts * Hunki Ox-Bow Lake, Awe L.G.A. Crafts * Farin Ruwa Falls Wildlife/Eco-Tourism * Keana Salt Village, Keana L.G.A. Arts & Crafts/ Souvenir * Numan Rocks, Akwanga L.G.A. Physical * Ara Rocks/Festival Physical * Eggon Hills and Caves Cultural/Physical * Keffi Hunting; Festival Feb/April Cultural
NIGER	MINNA	Gurara Falls, Gurara LGA Natural/Physical * Zuma Rock, Near Suleija Natural/Physical * Kainji Lake National Park Wildlife/Eco-Tourism * Brass/Glass Works, Bida Arts & Crafts/ Souvenirs * Shirro Dam Tourist Resort Natural/Man-made * Mayanka Water Falls Natural
OGUN	ABEOKUTA	Management Training Centre, Ogere Man-made * Adire Market, Itoko Abeokuta Cultural * Olumo Rock, Abeokuta Physical * Birikisu Sungbo Shrine Cultural/Religious Attractions * Obute-Oni Tourist Beach Natural * Ancient Palace of the Cultural/ Alake of Egbaland Monument * Ogunde Theatre Centre Man-made/Monument
ONDO	AKURE	Idanre Hills, Idanre Physical * Owo Museum Monument * Ipale Iloro Water Fall Physical
OSUN	OSOGBO	Mat Weaving, Ipetu-Ilesha Arts & Crafts / Souvenir * Ooni's Palace, Ile-Ife Cultural * Ife Museum, Enuwa, Ile-Ife Monument/Museum * Osun Osogbo Festival/Shrine Trad./Religious Study Centre/Cultural * Ife Bronze, Ile-Ife Physical * Oramiyan Staff, Ile-Ife Cultural/Souvenir, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife.
OYO	IBADAN	Igbeti Hills, Igbeti Physical * Trans Amusement Park, Ibadan Man-made Resort * Captain Bower, Tower, Ibadan Monument * Agodi Gardens, Ibadan Man-made * Old Oyo National Park Wildlife/Eco-Toursim * University of Ibadan Zoo/ Zoological Garden Man-made * Alaafin of Oyo's Palace Cultural * Calabash Carving Cultural/Souvenir * Ado-Awage Suspended Lake Natural * Aso Oke Weaving, Iseyin Traditional/Souvenir
PLATEAU	JOS	Assop Falls, Rivom LGA Physical * Shere Hills, Near Jos Physical * Riyom Rock Formation, Rivom Physical * International Youth Tourism Centre, Kurra Falls Physical/Man-made * Rayfield Resort, Jos Man-made Resort * Heleena Farms, Liberty Dam Physical/Man-made * Jos Wildlife Park Wildlife Eco-Tourism * Jos Zoo/Museum Zoo/Monument * Naraguta Leather Works, Arts & Crafts/ Naraguta Souvenirs * Solomon Lar Amusement Park Man-made
RIVERS	PORT HARCOURT	Isaac Boro Park, Port Harcourt Man-made * Monument of King Jaja of Opobo Monument * Okrika Aquatic Stadium Man-made * Ifoko Beach, Ifoko Physical * Port Harcourt Tourist Beach Physical
SOKOTO	SOKOTO	Tomb of Usman Dan Fodio, Monument Sokoto. * Sultan's Palace, Sokoto Cultural * Sokoto Museum Monument
TARABA	JALINGO	Mambilla Holiday Resort, Gembu Man-made * Gashaka  Gumti National Park Wildlife-Eco-Tourism * Mamara Crocodile Pond National * Kpambo and Fikiyu Mysterious Rocks Physical
YOBE	DAMATURU	Dufuna Canoe, Damaturu Discovery/Monument * Hadejia  Nguru Bird Life Project Wildlife/Eco-Tourism * Gujba Forest Reserve Wildlife/Eco-Tourism * Fika Ancient Town, Fika Monument * Bula Tura Oases, Nguru Natural * Mai Madrinama's Palace Cultural
ZAMFARA	GUSAU	Kalele Hippo Pools, Maru LGA Natural/Wildlife/ Eco-Tourism

 Source: Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission(NIPC)

List of Solid Minerals in Nigeria

Not many people know about the abundance of solid mineral in Nigeria. Most people think that Nigeria is only blessed by Petroleum (crude)Oil. Below is a list of Solid mineral in Nigeria

Solid Mineral Deposits in Nigeria Talc Over 40 million tonnes deposits of talc have been identified in Niger, Osun, Kogi, Ogun and Kaduna states. The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC)’s 3,000 tonnes per annum catalytic plant is the only talc plant in the country. The talc industry represents one of the most versatile sectors of the industrial minerals of the world. The exploitation of the vast deposits would therefore satisfy local demand and that for export. Gypsum Gypsum is an important input for the production of cement. It is also used for the production of Plaster of Paris (P.O.P) and classroom chalks. A strategy for large-scale mining of gypsum used in the cement industries is urgently required to sustain the existing plants and meet the future expansion. Currently, cement production is put at 8 million tonnes per annum while the national requirement is 9.6 million tonnes. About one billion tonnes of gypsum deposits are spread over many states in Nigeria. Iron Ore  There are over 3 billion metric tonnes of iron ore in deposits found in Kogi, Enugu and Niger States as well as the Federal Capital Territory. Iron Ore is being mined at Itakpe in Kogi State and is already being beneficiated, up to 67 per cent of iron. The Aladja and Ajaokuta Steel complexes are ready for consumers of billets and other iron products for down-stream industries. Lead/Zinc  An estimated 10 million tonnes of lead/zinc veins are spread over eight states of Nigeria. Proven reserves in three prospects in the east-central area are 5 million tonnes. Joint venture partners are encouraged to develop and exploit the various lead/zinc deposits all over the country. Bentonite and Baryte  These are the main constituents of the mud used in the drilling of all types of oil wells. The Nigerian baryte has specific gravity of about 4.3. Over 7.5 million tonnes of baryte have been identified in Taraba and Bauchi States. Large bentonite reserves of 700 million tonnes are available in many states of the federation ready for massive development and exploitation. Gold  There are proven reserves of both alluvial and primary gold in the schist belt of Nigeria located in the south-western part of the country. The deposits are mainly alluvial and are currently being exploited on a small scale. Private investors are invited to stake concessions on these primary deposits. Bitumen  The occurrence of bitumen deposits in Nigeria is indicated at about 42 billion tonnes; almost twice the amount of existing reserves of crude petroleum. Analytical results suggest that this potential resource can be used directly as an asphalt binder. Most bitumen used for road construction in Nigeria is currently imported. Coal  Nigerian coal is one of the most bituminous in the world owing to its low sulphur and ash content and therefore the most environment-friendly. There are nearly 3billion tonnes of indicated reserves in 17 identified coal fields and over 600 million tonnes of proven reserves. Rock Salt  The national annual demand for table salt, caustic soda, chlorine, sodium bicarbonate, sodium hydrochloric acid and hydrogen peroxide exceeds one million tonnes. A colossal amount of money is expended annually to import these chemicals by chemical and processing companies including tanneries and those in food and beverages, paper and pulp, bottling and oil sector. There are salt springs at Awe (Plateau State), Abakaliki and Uburu (Ebonyi State), while rock salt is available in Benue State. A total reserve of 1.5 million tonnes has been indicated, and further investigations are now being carried out by Government. Gemstones  Gemstones mining has boomed in various parts of Plateau, Kaduna and Bauchi states for years. Some of these gemstones include sapphire, ruby, aquamarine, emerald, tourmaline, topaz, garnet, amethyst; zircon, and flourspar which are among the world’s best. Good prospects exist in this area for viable investments. Kaolin  An estimated reserve of 3 billion tonnes of good kaolinitic clay has been identified in many localities in Nigeria. Lift from page 4 and 5 of Local Sourcing of Raw Materials. source: Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC)