Nigeria and France have reinforced their partnership following the earlier signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in Paris.
In a recent meeting, France committed to upgrading laboratory facilities, providing advanced technological equipment, and funding the exploration of geological data under the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA).
According to a statement by Kunle Bamigbetan, Special Adviser on Media to Dr Dele Alake, Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, the renewed commitment was made during the ongoing Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
At the forum, Dr Alake and France’s Interministerial Delegate for Strategic Minerals, Benjamin Gallezot, held a strategic meeting. Their teams agreed to exchange mining legislation and collaborate on cadastral management and provisions to combat illegal mining.
Gallezot announced that his department was currently screening a list of French companies interested in investing in Nigeria’s mining sector. He assured that only verified and serious investors would be recommended to Nigeria’s Ministry of Solid Minerals Development.
Dr Alake thanked Gallezot for his support in finalising the MOU during the December 2024 visit of President Bola Tinubu to French President Emmanuel Macron. He noted that the forum had provided both nations with an opportunity to advance their cooperation by initiating programmes and projects that foster mutual trust and tangible outcomes.
In his presentation, Professor Olusegun Ige, Director-General of the NGSA, emphasised the need for modern, advanced technological equipment to accelerate the exploration of Nigeria’s vast mineral resources. He highlighted that the absence of such equipment had slowed progress in mapping mineralised regions. He also underscored the importance of skills transfer and the development of local expertise, given mining’s global nature.
Similarly, Engr Simon Nkom, Director-General of the Nigerian Mining Cadastral Office, suggested a comparative review of mining laws in both countries to identify shared practices and potential improvements, which could inform Nigeria’s ongoing review of its mining legislation.
Hajiya Fatima Shinkafi, Executive Secretary of the Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF), proposed a co-funding initiative for early-stage exploration projects. She noted that the SMDF, in collaboration with the Africa Finance Corporation, had already gathered extensive data and best practices to support mining entrepreneurs seeking exploration funding.
Responding to Nigeria’s needs, Christophe Poinssot, Deputy Director of France’s Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières (BRGM), pledged to include Nigeria in France’s funding initiative for building the capacity of African geologists. He revealed that over 1,000 African geologists had benefited from the eight-year fund and assured that Nigeria would be part of the next phase of the project.
Poinssot also announced that France would support Nigeria in upgrading its geological laboratories to meet international standards, enabling the country to enhance its analytical capabilities in line with the MOU.
This strengthened partnership marks a significant step towards boosting Nigeria’s mining sector and fostering sustainable development.