The ninth annual Nigeria Mining Week, themed “From the Inside Out: Building the Mining Sector to be the Cornerstone of Nigeria’s Economy,” commenced today in Abuja.
Ahead of the event, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to diversifying Nigeria’s economy by making the mining sector its cornerstone.
Alake emphasised the administration’s determination to leverage the nation’s vast mineral resources for economic growth, industrialisation, and community development. He noted:
“Key policies are in place for the envisioned era in which Nigeria’s mineral wealth serves as the backbone of economic diversification, job creation, and community development, advancing our national interest for the benefit of every Nigerian.”
To harness the potential of over 44 major minerals in the country, Alake asserted that the government aims to go beyond extraction:
“Through local value addition, processing, and beneficiation, our aim is to transform Nigeria’s mineral wealth into industrial and economic power, generating jobs and supporting local businesses in ways that ripple through our economy.”
Alake highlighted the importance of precise and transparent data to attract investors and stabilise the sector. He stressed:
“Quality geo-scientific data not only attracts investors but also enhances the credibility and stability of our sector. As we aim to present Nigeria as a destination where investments are well-informed and reliable, we invite the world to engage in a mutually beneficial partnership that elevates our mining landscape to international standards.”
He further noted the administration’s dedication to value addition, ensuring Nigerian resources are processed locally:
“Our commitment to value addition ensures that Nigerian resources don’t leave our shores in their raw form. Processing and refining facilities within Nigeria create local employment, deepen industrial capacity, and add layers of economic value that extend well beyond the mining sector itself.”
“We are positioning Nigeria as a formidable player in the global mineral value chain, driven by a commitment to retain the wealth generated here within our communities.”
Speaking on the Mining Week, Alake remarked that the event unites global investors, industry experts, and government leaders to discuss topics like Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards, financing for mining projects, and Nigeria’s role in the global mineral value chain.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Mary Ogbe, represented by Mrs. Ijeoma Idika, Director of Human Resource Management, emphasised the event’s importance in fostering growth and innovative solutions essential to Nigeria’s long-term economic goals.
Ogbe added that advancing the mining sector strengthens the economy while promoting sustainable development nationwide.
The President of the Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN), Dele Ayanleke, represented by Mr. Tope Adebanjo, described the Mining Week as the leading platform for evaluating industry progress and addressing future objectives.
