President of the Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN), Dele Ayanleke has urged the government to implement robust value addition policies and harness the full potential of Nigeria’s mining sector for employment creation and economic diversification.
Ayanleke said the narrative that mining contributes less than one percent to GDP is changing.
“There are a lot of conflicting figures from different agencies and governments… But what we are hearing recently, I think there should be a lot of improvement. Last week, during the NEITI board retreat and meeting in Nasarawa State, the FIRS report showed clearly that the mining and quarrying sector is actually growing and contributing significantly to the Nigerian economy.”
He added:
“The contribution of just one agency in the ministry, that’s Mining Cadastral Office …contributing almost seven billion within the first quarter of this year to our revenue says a lot.”
While noting the improvement, he emphasised the role of value chain development:
“If government is able to ensure that we develop the value chain, there will be enough job provisions for our youths and our women, especially in the rural areas. It should take a lot of Nigerians out of poverty.”
He further argued:
“We’re not even talking about diversifying…we are talking about broadening. Because oil and gas isn’t going anywhere soon. But just in case there are issues with that sector, mining must be well positioned to take care of those challenges.”
On the potential of Nigeria to become a global player in green energy, he said:
“When you look at what the globe is doing – moving from fossil fuel to green energy. Nigeria has huge deposits of minerals needed for that transition.”
On the association’s role in attracting investment and enforcing due process, Ayanleke noted:
“Our association cuts across the value chain. We have explorers, traders, and processors. We collaborate with the government to ensure that we are doing business according to due process. That means whatever is due to government must go to the government.”
He highlighted the Nigeria Mining Week as a key platform:
“We invite foreign investors through our annual events, and we also support our members to access foreign partnerships. It’s now left for the government and regulators to tap into what we are doing and ensure that the country benefits maximally.”
In addressing the sector’s long-term growth, he concluded:
“The sector has legacy challenges like funding and new challenges like insecurity and illegality. But the big issue remains regulation. Once addressed, the sector has what it takes to drive infrastructure, create jobs, and grow the economy sustainably.”
