The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, has called on the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) to play a transformative role in reshaping Nigerians’ collective mindset as a vital foundation for national development.
Speaking during a visit by participants of NIPSS Course 47 (2025) to his Abuja office on April 30, the minister stressed the importance of aligning public consciousness with developmental goals to achieve lasting progress. He noted that sustainable development in Nigeria cannot be achieved through policies and infrastructure alone, but through a fundamental shift in societal attitudes.
Dr. Alake urged NIPSS to evolve beyond its traditional advisory role and become a proactive force in driving national transformation. He challenged the institute to simplify complex policy concepts into practical strategies that resonate at grassroots levels, where implementation often falters.
He lamented that while Nigeria has produced numerous development plans over the years, execution remains poor due to a persistent disconnect between vision and public consciousness. According to the Minister, NIPSS has a critical role to play in bridging that gap and galvanising national unity.
“Your mandate goes beyond writing reports,. You must engineer the transformation of our people’s attitudes to drive a national renaissance. If the mindset remains flawed, even the best policies will flounder.” the Minister stated
Highlighting his ministry’s recent reforms, Dr. Alake said the Tinubu administration has made major strides in sanitising the solid minerals sector. Over 300 illegal miners have been arrested in the past year, with around 150 prosecutions currently underway—including several involving foreign nationals. In total, 98 illegal mining sites have been recovered.
A key part of this crackdown, he explained, has been the establishment of a specialised Mining Marshals unit, which has so far secured nine convictions. In addition to enforcement, the ministry has promoted legal mining by forming over 250 mining cooperatives in the past year. This has brought more artisanal miners into formal operations, boosting transparency and increasing government revenues through royalties.
In response, Dr. Musa Umar Emmanuel Mni, who led the NIPSS delegation, commended the Minister for his clarity of vision and strategic direction. He said the session had offered invaluable insights for course participants and praised the ministry’s transparency and commitment to reform. He also emphasised the critical roles played by the Nigeria Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) and the Mining Cadastre Office (MCO) in advancing sustainable mineral development.
The visit concluded with remarks from the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Mary A. Ogbe, who echoed the call for mindset transformation. She described it as the missing link between Nigeria’s vast mineral wealth and its economic aspirations.
“Nigeria is blessed with 44 different solid mineral types in commercial quantities. Yet, the vast potential of this sector remains largely unrealised due to decades of underinvestment, regulatory gaps, and more critically, a lack of national urgency and awareness.”
“We need institutions like NIPSS to foster a new national consciousness that prioritises responsible and strategic exploitation of our natural resources. We need a shift in perception—one that views solid minerals not as mere commodities, but as levers for industrialisation, job creation, and national prosperity.”
She urged NIPSS to take the lead in reshaping the national narrative and unlocking the full potential of Nigeria’s natural resources.
