The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, says reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu are driving renewed growth in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector.
Alake said the reforms have led to increased foreign direct investment, improved contribution of the sector to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and growing international interest in Nigeria as a mining destination.
Speaking at the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada Conference held in Toronto, Canada, the minister represented by the Director-General of the Mining Cadastre Office, Mr. Obadiah Nkom said Nigeria is open to credible investors committed to responsible and sustainable mining.
At the 27th Annual African Mining Breakfast, a high-level forum bringing together African ministers, global investors and industry leaders, Alake emphasized the need for stronger collaboration among African countries to unlock the continent’s vast mineral resources.
He noted that Nigeria is shifting from exporting raw minerals to promoting local processing and value addition to ensure greater economic benefits for citizens.
The minister also called for stronger regional integration in Africa’s mining industry, stressing that coordinated policies, infrastructure development and cross-border investments are critical to unlocking the sector’s full potential.
According to him, Nigeria is ready to lead regional mining corridors backed by reliable geological data, regulatory reforms and political support.
On the sidelines of the conference, the Nigerian delegation met with the Chairperson of the Canada Africa Chamber of Business, Ms. Paula Caldwell, to explore opportunities for expanding Canada–Nigeria investment partnerships in the mining sector.
The meeting, facilitated by the Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Pasquale Salvaggio, also discussed the proposed African Partnership Business Conference scheduled for May, aimed at connecting Canadian companies with investment opportunities across Africa, including Nigeria.
The four-day conference featured engagements with global mining executives, development partners and investors to showcase Nigeria’s mineral potential and ongoing reforms to improve transparency, strengthen geological data and formalize artisanal mining activities.
