Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has attributed the rapid growth of Nigeria’s solid minerals sector to reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu, noting that the industry is now contributing more to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), attracting increased foreign direct investment, and positioning Nigeria as a leading destination for mining.
Speaking through the Director-General of the Mining Cadastre Office, Engineer Obadiah Nkom, at the recently concluded Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) conference in Toronto, Alake emphasized Nigeria’s readiness to partner with credible investors committed to responsible and sustainable mining.
At the 27th Annual African Mining Breakfast, a high-level platform convening African ministers, industry leaders, and global investors, the Minister called for greater synergy among African countries to unlock the continent’s vast mineral wealth.
A statement signed by Segun Tomori, Special Assistant on Media to the Minister, disclosed that Nigeria’s delegation also participated in the International Mines Ministers Summit, which had representatives from France, Chile, Saudi Arabia, DRC, Cameroon, Sierra Leone, Canada, Egypt, Australia, the Intergovernmental Forum (IGF), and the World Economic Forum (WEF).
Alake reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to promoting value addition within the solid minerals sector, stressing that Nigeria has moved beyond merely exporting raw minerals to prioritizing local processing for maximum economic benefit. He underscored the importance of stronger cross-border integration, noting that regional cooperation in infrastructure, trade, and investment would unlock greater opportunities.
“Integration does not fail because Africa lacks frameworks. It fails because projects stall between borders. A mine may be viable in one country, but the rail link, the power line, or the processing facility sits across the border. And no one institution takes responsibility for stitching these pieces together,” Alake said. “Nigeria is ready to anchor such corridors. We have the data, the reforms, and the political backing. All we need right now is capital structured for integration.”
On the sidelines of PDAC, the Nigerian team met with Ms. Paula Caldwell, Chairperson of the Canada–Africa Chamber of Business, to discuss opportunities for strengthening Canada–Nigeria business engagement in the mining sector. The meeting, facilitated by Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, HE Pasquale Salvaggio, focused on expanding commercial and investment partnerships between Canadian companies and Nigeria’s solid minerals industry.
Discussions centered on the upcoming African Partnership Business Conference scheduled for May, designed as a high-level platform to connect Canadian companies with African investment opportunities and government stakeholders. Caldwell explained that the conference aims to bring together Canadian firms seeking to expand their presence in Africa, including those already operating on the continent but looking to grow within the Nigerian market.
The four-day PDAC conference also featured high-level engagements with international mining executives, development partners, and prospective investors. Nigeria’s delegation highlighted the country’s vast mineral potential and ongoing reforms aimed at improving transparency, strengthening geological data, formalizing artisanal mining, and creating a more competitive investment climate.
By Palma Ileye, Abuja
