The Federal Government has called for stronger partnerships and increased investment in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector as part of efforts to unlock the industry’s potential and drive economic growth.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, made the call in Abuja during the 11th Nigeria Mining Week, which brought together investors, mining operators, policymakers and industry experts to explore investment opportunities and address challenges confronting the sector.
Alake identified reforms, investment promotion and local value addition as critical to repositioning the mining industry and making it a significant contributor to the nation’s economic development.
He emphasised the need for stronger collaboration between the government and private sector to attract investment, improve mining operations and maximise the economic benefits of Nigeria’s mineral resources.
The minister also highlighted the importance of local mineral processing, noting that adding value to extracted resources would help expand economic opportunities and strengthen the sector’s contribution to national development.
Meanwhile, the Publicity Secretary of the Miners Association of Nigeria, Fatai Jimoh, highlighted challenges facing mining operators and called for greater collaboration between the government and industry stakeholders to improve the business environment.
Jimoh stressed the need to address operational difficulties and create favourable conditions that would enable mining businesses to grow and attract more investors.
Also speaking, an investor in Nigeria’s mining industry, Essam Al Saghir, discussed the sector’s prospects and the factors influencing investment decisions.
The three-day event featured discussions on critical minerals, gold, steel production, exploration financing and local mineral processing, providing a platform for stakeholders to exchange ideas and explore opportunities for partnerships.
The Federal Government has continued to identify the solid minerals sector as an important component of its economic diversification agenda, with increased investment and local processing expected to strengthen the industry’s contribution to economic growth.
Stakeholders believe that sustained reforms, improved operating conditions and effective public-private partnerships will be essential to unlocking Nigeria’s vast mineral resources and positioning the sector as a major driver of national development.
Ubong Usoro for Nigeria Magazine
