Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, says the country’s mining reforms aim to make Nigeria a global player in the solid minerals industry.
Speaking ahead of the 10th edition of the Nigeria Mining Week, themed “Nigeria Mining: From Progress to Global Relevance,” Alake said the event will highlight Nigeria’s growing capacity to attract investment and promote sustainable mining practices.
The three-day conference, scheduled for October 13 to 15 in Abuja, is organised by the Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN), PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), and the VUKA Group. It will feature over 100 exhibitors, 1,000 participants, and several high-level investment sessions.
Alake noted that under the Tinubu administration, the sector has improved transparency and de-risked investments through reforms, including the strengthening of the Mining Cadastre Office, the launch of a new Development Roadmap, and the creation of the Nigerian Mining Corporation.
He added that new community development agreement guidelines and frameworks for local mineral processing are helping to create jobs and boost community benefits.
Threats Over Licence Revocations
Dr. Alake also revealed that he has received threats following the recent revocation of 1,263 mineral licences over non-payment of annual fees.
Some of the affected operators threatened international arbitration and sponsored media campaigns against ongoing reforms in the sector, he said, insisting that he remains undeterred in his quest to sanitise the mining sector.
“Some people have held licences since the Obasanjo administration but have not used them,” Alake said, adding that the clean-up would promote transparency and productivity.
He noted that the solid minerals sector’s contribution to Nigeria’s GDP had grown from less than 0.5 percent a decade ago to about 4.65 percent, with further expansion expected in the coming years.
