Nigeria is deepening collaboration with Murdoch University, Western Australia, to strengthen professional capacity and knowledge transfer in the country’s solid minerals sector.
The development followed strategic discussions between the Nigerian delegation to Africa Down Under, ADU 2026, and the management of Murdoch University on expanding the Nigeria–Australia Resource Industry Collaboration and Capacity Building Programme.
The delegation, led by the representative of the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, and the Director-General of the Mining Cadastre Office, Engr. Obadiah Nkom, met with the Dean of the School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, Professor Dee O’Connor, and other university representatives.
The discussions centred on building on the achievements of the programme’s first two cohorts and developing a stronger third phase with greater industry exposure and practical training.
Since its launch in June 2025, the programme has trained two cohorts of 11 Nigerian officials each, combining technical, policy and leadership training with field visits, workshops, industry engagement and job-shadowing opportunities.
Nkom said the Federal Government was not only seeking foreign capital and technology but was also focused on equipping Nigerians with the expertise required to manage and advance the country’s mining industry.
He described the partnership with Murdoch University as an important investment in developing the human resources needed to drive Nigeria’s mining transformation.
According to him, the proposed third cohort will include stronger industry immersion, internships, job-shadowing opportunities and live industry case studies.
He said the programme would also help participants develop commercially viable and investor-ready mining opportunities.
Professor O’Connor reaffirmed Murdoch University’s commitment to the partnership, saying the institution would continue to support Nigeria’s efforts to develop a responsible, technically capable and globally competitive mining sector.
She said the university would deepen the exchange of knowledge and experience while ensuring that the programme responds to the practical needs of Nigeria’s mining industry.
The Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development says the collaboration is part of efforts to build a knowledge-driven mining sector capable of attracting investment, promoting responsible resource development and increasing local expertise.
The proposed third phase is expected to move beyond conventional professional training to practical knowledge transfer, industry immersion and skills development in exploration, project development, investment promotion, environmental, social and governance compliance, and downstream value addition.
The partnership also provides Nigeria with a platform for sustained cooperation with Australian universities, regulators, mining companies and research institutions, with the aim of translating international expertise into lasting local capacity.
