By Palma Ileye
Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, has led the delegation of the Nigeria Solid Minerals Company (NSMC) to the White House for high-level talks aimed at deepening strategic cooperation between Nigeria and the United States and attracting greater investment into Nigeria’s solid minerals sector.
The Nigerian delegation according to a press release issued by Lara Owoeye-Wise, Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, met with David Copley, Special Assistant to the U.S. President and Senior Director for Global Supply Chain at the U.S. National Security Council, and Diana London of DCI Group.
The statement disclosed that discussions centred on strengthening collaboration across the critical minerals value chain, including geological exploration, mining, mineral processing, value addition and refining.
It stated that the meeting also explored ways to build secure and resilient supply chains for minerals considered essential to the global energy transition.
It added that the engagement forms part of efforts by the Federal Government to position Nigeria as a preferred destination for responsible mining investment while expanding opportunities for industrial growth and economic diversification.
The initiative is in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises economic diversification, industrialisation, job creation and the attraction of strategic foreign investment.
It also reinforced the growing partnership between Nigeria and the United States through investment-focused cooperation designed to promote sustainable mineral development, boost local value addition and deliver shared economic benefits.
