The 9th Annual Nigeria Mining Week is scheduled to commence tomorrow, Monday, November 18, in Abuja, with the theme: “From the Inside Out: Building the Mining Sector to be the Cornerstone of Nigeria’s Economy.”
Ahead of the three-day event, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to diversifying Nigeria’s economy by transforming the mining sector into a key driver of national growth.
Dr. Alake emphasized that the administration is determined to break the country’s reliance on a mono-economic model by unlocking the potential of Nigeria’s vast mineral resources for economic growth, industrialization, and community development.
The minister also highlighted the government’s implementation of key policies aimed at fostering an era where Nigeria’s mineral wealth serves as a foundation for economic diversification, job creation, and community progress.
These policies, he noted, are designed to advance the nation’s interests and deliver tangible benefits to all Nigerians.
Alake maintained that for the country to fully realize the full potential of the more than 44 minerals the nation is blessed with, the country has to move beyond extraction.
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The Minister further said the government is “focused on establishing systems and structures that allow Nigerians to benefit directly from our resources. Through local value addition, processing, and beneficiation, our aim is to transform Nigeria’s mineral wealth into industrial and economic power, generating jobs and supporting local businesses in ways that ripple through our economy.”
He added: “At the core of this transformative agenda lies our dedication to precision and transparency in data. Quality geoscientific data not only attracts investors but also enhances the credibility and stability of our sector. As we aim to present Nigeria as a destination where investments are well-informed and reliable, we invite the world to engage in a mutually beneficial partnership that elevates our mining landscape to international standards.
“Our commitment to value addition ensures that Nigerian resources don’t leave our shores in their raw form. Processing and refining facilities within Nigeria create local employment, deepen industrial capacity, and add layers of economic value that extend well beyond the mining sector itself.
“We are positioning Nigeria as a formidable player in the global mineral value chain, driven by a commitment to retain the wealth generated here within our communities.”
On Mining Week, Alake said the event will bring together global investors, industry experts, and government leaders to discuss topics ranging from Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards to innovative financing for mining projects.
He said it will also cover Nigeria’s future in the global mineral value chain, resource governance, gender inclusion, infrastructure, and capital markets, setting a new benchmark for industry.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Mary Ogbe, represented by the Director (Human Resource Management), Mrs Ijeoma Idika, asserted that the Week gathering fosters growth, transformation, and innovative solutions, essential to realizing Nigeria’s long-term economic aspirations.
Ogbe highlighted that the continued advancement of the sector not only strengthens the economy but also creates a wealth of opportunities for sustainable development across Nigeria.
The President of the Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN), Dele Ayanleke, represented by Mr. Tope Adebanjo, noted that Mining Week has attained the leading platform for evaluating industry progress and addressing future goals.