(a) On an outline map of Nigeria locate and name (i) one area important for each of the following: gold, petroleum, columbite (ii) one important town in eac...

(a) Location on the outline map of Nigeria

• Gold: Ilesha/Maru-Anka area (Osun and Zamfara/Niger belt of the Basement Complex) – town: Ilesha (or Maru).
• Petroleum: the Niger Delta (Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta States) – town: Port Harcourt (or Warri).
• Columbite: the Jos Plateau – town: Jos (or Bukuru).

(b) Three contributions of mineral resources to the economy of Nigeria

1. Source of government revenue and foreign exchange: crude oil exports supply the greater part of federal revenue and foreign earnings used to finance development.
2. Provision of employment and income: mining, drilling, refining and servicing industries create jobs for many Nigerians, raising incomes and living standards.
3. Basis for industrialisation and infrastructure: minerals supply raw materials and energy (petroleum, natural gas, tin, columbite, limestone) for industries, and mineral revenue funds roads, ports, schools and power projects.

(c) Four factors that limit the exploitation of minerals in Nigeria

1. Shortage of capital for the heavy investment needed in exploration, drilling and machinery.
2. Inadequate skilled manpower and technology, forcing reliance on expensive foreign experts and equipment.
3. Poor transport and infrastructure to many mineral sites, raising the cost of moving ores to processing points and ports.
4. Insecurity, pipeline vandalism and environmental problems (oil spillage, community unrest), plus fluctuating world prices, which discourage steady production.