Natural Resources and the Nigerian

Contents & notes: what this topic covers

Under Natural Resources and the Nigerian, the JAMB Economics syllabus expects you to study:

• 18. Natural Resources and the Nigerian Economy a. Development of major natural resources (petroleum, gold, diamond, timber etc);
• b. Contributions of the oil and the non-oil sectors to the Nigerian economy;
• c. Linkage effects;
• d. Upstream/downstream of the oil sector;
• e. The role of NNPC and OPEC in the oil sector;
• f. Challenges facing natural resources exploitation.

Study notes & guidance

Study Natural Resources and the Nigerian using a recommended Economics textbook that follows the JAMB syllabus. Work through the contents listed above one by one, make brief notes in your own words, and then practise as many questions on this topic as you can — in Economics, understanding and steady practice matter far more than memorising. Use the objectives below as a checklist: if you can do each one confidently, you have mastered this topic.

Objectives — candidates should be able to

After studying Natural Resources and the Nigerian, you should be able to:

1. (i) trace the development of the major natural resources in Nigeria; (ii) understand the contribution of the oil and the non-oil sectors to the Nigerian economy; (iii) establish the linkages between the natural resources and other sectors; (iv) analyse the environmental effects of exploitation activities in Nigeria; (v) distinguish between the upstream and downstream activities in the oil sector; (vi) examine the roles of NNPC and OPEC in the oil sector; (vii) suggest ways of controlling the effects of natural resources exploitation.

These objectives are from the official JAMB syllabus. Use them as a checklist — if you can do each one confidently, you have mastered this topic.

Source: official JAMB UTME Economics syllabus (IBASS, jamb.gov.ng). Reproduced for study use. Last checked: 17 Sept 2026. Always confirm the current syllabus on the official portal.