Final answer:
The leading natural resource in Nigeria is oil, which surpasses other resources in economic importance.
Step-by-step explanation:
The leading natural resource in Nigeria is oil, making option c the correct answer. Oil and natural gas have been the backbone of Nigeria's economy and are the primary source of the country's export earnings. Nigeria's petroleum industry is the largest in Africa, with its oil reserves being among the world's top ten. While other resources such as coal, copper, lead, and zinc are present, they are not as economically significant as crude oil production, which has been a major influence on the country's economy and development since the discovery of oil in the Niger Delta in the late 1950s.
Indeed, option c is the correct answer, highlighting oil as the leading natural resource in Nigeria. The country's economy heavily relies on its vast petroleum resources, particularly oil and natural gas, which constitute the primary source of export earnings. Nigeria's petroleum industry stands as the largest in Africa, with oil reserves ranking among the world's top ten. While Nigeria possesses other resources like coal, copper, lead, and zinc, their economic significance pales in comparison to the prominence of crude oil production. The discovery of oil in the Niger Delta in the late 1950s marked a pivotal moment, shaping Nigeria's economic landscape and development trajectory. This underscores the pivotal role of oil in influencing the country's economic fortunes and global standing within the energy sector.