Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, has emphasized the country’s commitment to transforming its mining sector into a globally recognized investment destination. Speaking at a news briefing in Abuja, Alake highlighted the progress made in the last three years, with the Federal Government implementing domestic reforms and policy initiatives to improve the sector.
The minister noted that the government’s focus is on positioning Nigeria to compete globally, leveraging its vast mineral resources, improving regulatory environment, and commitment to sustainable development. Under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewable Agenda, the ministry has pursued reforms aimed at improving transparency, de-risking investment, and unlocking value across the mineral value chain.
Key achievements include the strengthening of the Mining Cadastre Office for transparent licensing, establishment of a new Solid Minerals Development Roadmap, and deployment of the Nigerian Mineral Resources Decision Support System. Additionally, the government has introduced new guidelines for community development agreements to ensure that host communities benefit directly from mining activities.
The 10th edition of Nigeria’s Mining Week, themed “Nigeria Mining: From Progress to Global Relevance,” promises to be the most impactful, with over 100 exhibitors showcasing cutting-edge mining technologies and equipment, and over 1,000 delegates and participants from within and outside Nigeria. The event will feature high-level mining discussions and investment forums, as well as business-to-business networking and an expanded investment pavilion highlighting Nigeria’s critical minerals.
According to Dele Ayankale, President of the Miners Association of Nigeria, the mining week has remained a catalyst for dialogue, reform, and innovation, bridging the gap between policy and practice. Nigeria has witnessed significant strides in exploration, artisanal mining formalization, investment inflows, and the adoption of modern technologies to drive sustainability.
The Nigeria Mining Week, organized by the Miners Association of Nigeria in partnership with PricewaterhouseCoopers and the VUKA Group, will take place from October 13 to 15. The event is expected to shape the conversation on Nigeria’s mining sector, focusing on building investor-ready mining models, promoting local value addition, unlocking small-scale mining finance, and strengthening Environmental, Social, and Governance standards.