Tag: Dele Alake

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has hailed the conviction of Ansaru terrorist commander, Mahmud Usman, describing his 15-year jail term as a significant victory in the fight against illegal mining.

On Thursday, Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, handed down the sentence and remanded Usman to face 31 additional charges.

In a statement issued on Sunday by his Special Assistant on Media, Segun Tomori, Alake commended the judiciary for backing the ministry’s drive to stamp out illegal mining, noting that the verdict has confirmed the link between banditry and illegal mining operations.

“It is gratifying that the judiciary is aligned with our zero-tolerance stance against illegal mining. We will continue to tighten the noose around all illegal activities in the sector, with more drastic measures to be announced soon,” the minister said.

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He added that the ministry will closely monitor the proceedings of the remaining terrorism cases involving other Ansaru commanders, stressing that regulators must learn from these cases to strengthen their capacity to counter illegal mining.

Alake also praised the Directorate of State Security Services (DSS) for its effective role in detecting and arresting terrorists, pledging enhanced inter-agency collaboration to boost surveillance and rid communities of illegal mining activities.

Ansaru, translated as the Vanguard for the Protection of Muslims in Black Africa, is facing several charges over attacks on the Nigerian Army Wawa Cantonment and the Kuje Prisons raid in 2022, among other terrorist activities.

It will be recalled that in 2024, Alake launched the Mining Marshals to combat illegal mining and enhance security in the solid minerals sector.

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake has ordered the immediate seal-off of an illegal gold mining site in the Gwagwalada area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to mitigate potential environmental hazards 

He warned that the government would not tolerate unlawful mining activities.

The Minister advised residents to steer clear of the affected areas while enforcement and remediation efforts are underway.

The seal-up order followed intelligence reports of fresh illegal operations on farmland behind CKC in Gwagwalada, where artisanal miners reportedly invaded after the accidental discovery of a gold vein during the digging of a soakaway pit.

The directive, according to a statement by the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister,  Segun Tomori in Abuja on Wednesday, came on the heels of an earlier operation by the mine marshals which led to the successful recovery and sealing of a mining site around the District 2 Extension layout in Gwagwalada on August 16, 2025. 

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Preliminary investigations revealy that illegal artisanal miners invaded the area after the accidental discovery of a gold vein during the digging of a soakaway pit near a residential property. 

Upon receiving intelligence reports of renewed unlawful mining activity, the minister ordered the deployment of mining marshals to secure the site.

An on-the-spot assessment of the area on Wednesday by the Director of Mines Inspectorate, represented by the Deputy Director, Sunday Okhuoya expressed satisfaction with the level of compliance with the Minister’s directive.

Commander of the Mining Marshals, Assistant Commandant of Corps (ACC) John Attah Onoja, confirmed that his team has established a 24-hour surveillance on the affected sites, pending the outcome of the Federal Government’s ongoing inquiry.

• •Nigeria, Japan seal deals to boost mining investment

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, has said any company that invests in Nigeria’s solid mineral sector will record good returns on its investment.

The minister described the nation’s mining sectors as highly profitable.

Alake said this in an audience with officials of the Japan Organisation for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC) on the sidelines of the ninth Tokyo International Conference for African Trade and Development (TICAD 9) in Yokohama, Japan.

Following the minister’s meetings, Nigeria and Japan expressed their readiness to align investment plans to unlock Nigeria’s vast mineral resources.

Alake assured Japanese investors that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reforms, including subsidy removal, a stabilised exchange rate, and major rail, road, and waterway projects, have created a more enabling environment for businesses.

“In terms of economies of scale, producing and processing the critical minerals you need in Nigeria is cheaper and more profitable as the costs of production are lower,” he said.

The minister noted that recent electricity sector reforms would enable industries to generate and manage their own power supply.

He also assured Japanese mining companies of benefiting from tax holidays and duty waivers on equipment, while urging them to invest in local processing of minerals before export, in line with Nigeria’s value-addition policy.

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The meetings also featured the Nigeria Solid Minerals Company (NSMC), represented by its CEO, Martins Imonitie. The NSMC, designed to take equity stakes in mining projects, is expected to serve as a trusted partner to strengthen investor confidence.

A statement yesterday in Abuja by Alake’s Special Adviser on Media, Kehinde Bamigbetan, said the meetings focused on attracting Japanese mining companies into Nigeria’s solid minerals sector.

According to the statement, the President of JOGMEC, Mr. Michio Daito, acknowledged Nigeria’s rich mineral deposits but stressed the need for more clarity on economic conditions before Japanese firms commit to large-scale investments.

Daito noted that some issues, such as power supply, tax incentives, labour, free trade zones, and infrastructure are critical to reducing investment risks.

Explaining that Japanese mining firms rely on JOGMEC to make investment decisions in foreign countries, the organisation’s president sought to have information on the state of infrastructure in Nigeria that supports mining.

Earlier engagements with Japanese trading giants, Mitsubishi Corporation, Sumitomo Corporation, and Mitsui & Company, had signaled growing interest in Nigeria’s mining industry, with final commitments expected after JOGMEC’s approval.

The meeting concluded with both parties agreeing to strengthen technical exchanges and foster direct collaboration between JOGMEC and NSMC to accelerate concrete investment outcomes.

In an attempt to promote excellence, sustainability, innovation and responsible mining practices in the country,  Solid Minerals Development Minister Dele Alake is set to introduce Solid Minerals Excellence Awards (SOMEA).

The awards are billed for October 16,  next year in Abuja. It will be held in conjunction with HSENations International. 

The ministry affirmed its commitment to SOMEA in a statement delivered on behalf of Dr. Alake by the Ministry’s Director, Investment Promotion and  Mineral Trade  Esther N. Udo, to HSENations International.

In the statement,  Udo  said: “We recognise the importance of this initiative to foster best practices, encourage responsible mining, and enhance Nigeria’s solid minerals sector reputation nationally and internationally.”

She emphasised that SOMEA aligns with the ministry’s strategic objectives to promote excellence, innovation, and sustainability, fostering a robust environment for responsible mining, economic growth, technological advancement, safety, and ethical governance.

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The director highlighted that SOMEA will provide a platform for stakeholders to exchange ideas, celebrate achievements, and forge partnerships to further enhance Nigeria’s mining industry.

Commending HSENations, she anticipates the maiden edition will set a new benchmark for recognising excellence, serve as a catalyst for best practices and investment, and reinforce Nigeria’s position as a leading African mining destination.

Femi Da-Silva, Chief Executive Officer, HSENations, expressed gratitude to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development for his efforts in advancing and repositioning the ministry and the solid minerals sector.

In a bid to promote excellence, sustainability, innovation, and responsible practices in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, is set to introduce the inaugural Solid Minerals Excellence Awards (SOMEA).

Scheduled for October 16, 2026, in Abuja, the awards will be organized in collaboration with HSENations International, the body behind Africa’s leading safety awards.

Confirming the Ministry’s support for SOMEA, Dr. (Mrs.) Esther N. Udo, Director of Investment Promotion & Mineral Trade, delivered a statement on behalf of the Minister, emphasizing the initiative’s alignment with the Ministry’s strategic goals.

“We recognise the importance of this initiative to foster best practices, encourage responsible mining, and enhance Nigeria’s solid minerals sector reputation nationally and internationally,” Udo said.

She further noted that SOMEA will serve as a platform to encourage innovation, technological advancement, ethical governance, and economic growth while promoting safety and sustainable development in the sector.

The awards will also provide a platform for stakeholders to exchange ideas, celebrate achievements, and build partnerships to further elevate Nigeria’s mining industry.

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Commending HSENations, Udo expressed confidence that the maiden edition of SOMEA would set a new standard for recognizing excellence and attract greater investment, positioning Nigeria as a top mining destination in Africa.

In his remarks, Femi Da-Silva, CEO of HSENations, thanked the Minister for his leadership and commitment to repositioning the solid minerals sector for global relevance.

“We are honored to partner with the Ministry to organize the first Solid Minerals Excellence Awards, aiming to promote best practices, sustainability, environmental care, and community engagement; to attract investments and talent, and enhance Nigeria’s global reputation in the sector.”

He emphasized that “SOMEA is more than an award ceremony; it’s a catalyst for continued sector development by recognizing impactful work, celebrating innovation, raising awareness, and promoting continuous improvement. By recognizing sector leaders, we aim to inspire transformative growth and set a benchmark for others.”

Nominations for the Solid Minerals Excellence Awards (SOMEA) are now officially open. And the event is set for October 16, 2025 in the Federal Capital City.

… $800m foreign investment

Nigeria’s solid minerals sector is undergoing a dramatic transformation under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, generating over ₦38 billion in revenue in 2024—up from ₦6 billion the previous year—despite receiving just 18% of its budgeted funds.

This was disclosed by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, during a feature interview for an upcoming State House documentary marking the President’s second anniversary in office.

Dr. Alake revealed that the sector attracted more than $800 million in foreign direct investment in 2024 alone, driven by Tinubu’s policy of local value addition, stringent licensing reforms, and aggressive enforcement against illegal mining.

According to a statement issued on Sunday by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Alake said, “The days of exporting raw minerals from pit to port are over. No miner gets a license today without a clear plan for local processing.”

Key among the landmark investments are a $600 million lithium processing plant near the Kaduna-Niger border scheduled for commissioning this quarter and a $200 million lithium refinery on the outskirts of Abuja, which is nearing completion.

Two more processing facilities in Nasarawa are expected to come online before the third quarter of 2025.

The Minister credited the sector’s turnaround to reforms that prioritise beneficiation, exploration, and formalisation of artisanal mining, alongside the strategic tightening of the licensing regime.

“When we assumed office, the entire sector generated ₦6 billion annually. By the end of 2024, we hit ₦38 billion—and this was with just 18% of our ₦29 billion allocation released,” Alake said.

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According to the Minister, revenue generation continues to rise in 2025, with the Mining Cadastral Office and the Mines Inspectorate reporting ₦6.9 billion and ₦7 billion, respectively, in the first quarter alone.

Alake projected 2025 to be a record-breaking year, citing a ₦1 trillion allocation toward mineral exploration.

He emphasised that credible geological data is key to attracting serious global investors.

“When we came in, Nigeria had spent only $2 million on exploration, compared to $40 million in Sierra Leone, $148 million in Côte d’Ivoire, and over $300 million in South Africa.

That’s why investors stayed away. We’re changing that.”

Beyond revenues, Alake highlighted the administration’s commitment to job creation and industrialisation through the mining value chain.

Over 250 mining cooperatives have been established to absorb informal miners into the formal economy, he said.

“While over 300 illegal miners were arrested last year, with 150 ongoing prosecutions and nine convictions, we’re also empowering locals through formalisation. That’s the dual strategy: enforcement and empowerment,” he explained.

Dr. Alake also revealed Nigeria’s emerging leadership role in continental mining policy, chairing the newly formed African Mineral Strategy Group.

This bloc, he said, is focused on promoting local value addition and pushing back against exploitative trade practices.

“Our leadership at the 2024 Future Minerals Conference in Riyadh was pivotal. Africa is saying: no more raw material exports without domestic beneficiation. Nigeria is at the forefront of that charge”, he said.

Global interest in Nigeria’s critical minerals—especially lithium—is rising fast.

Alake disclosed that major countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, have expressed strong interest in Nigeria’s mineral assets.

“The former British Deputy Prime Minister invited me to Downing Street to discuss their interest in Nigerian lithium. The U.S. is also keen to diversify from China and sees Nigeria as a strategic alternative,” he said.

According to him, the Mining Cadastral Office received over 10,000 licensing applications from both local and foreign investors in the first quarter of 2025 alone—a testament to the renewed confidence in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector.

“This sector is now a cornerstone of the President’s economic diversification strategy. We are restoring confidence, enforcing the law, building data, and turning mineral wealth into jobs, revenue, and technology for Nigerians,” Alake concluded

World leaders and stakeholders in the solid minerals industry have been asked to embrace global collaboration in driving a sustainable energy transition.

Solid Minerals Development Minister, Dr. Dele Alake, who made the request, noted that the future of electricity, transportation and global prosperity hinges on decisions made today.

He spoke at ongoing Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Forum in Paris, France.

A statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Segun Tomori in Abuja yesterday, quoted the minister as stressing the importance of global partnerships in building a resilient and sustainable mining sector.

The statement read: “With the emergence of the global energy transition, there has never been a more critical moment for decisive leadership. The future of electricity, transportation, telecommunications, and indeed global prosperity depends on the work we do here. Let us embrace this opportunity – not just to discuss change, but to drive it.”

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Highlighting the critical role of mining in the global shift toward greener energy, Alake emphasized the need for smarter site selection, optimized operations, sustainable processing, waste management, and environmental stewardship as a responsibility owed to future generations – not merely a policy aspiration.

The minister outlined Nigeria’s proactive steps to attract investment into its solid minerals sector, citing investor-friendly incentives such as import duty waivers, accelerated capital allowances, and tax holidays.

He stressed that these incentives are being implemented alongside robust reforms that prioritize sustainable extraction, domestic processing, and enhanced infrastructure connectivity.

The statement further reads: “These reforms are already delivering results. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, Nigeria generated N6.96 billion in mining license fees, formalized over 1,200 artisanal and small-scale mining cooperatives, and registered 118 private mineral buying centers. Our Mining Cadastral Office processed nearly 1,000 title applications, with hundreds of licenses approved to accelerate responsible development.”

He also highlighted Africa’s strategic importance in the global energy transition, noting the continent’s growing share in the global supply of critical minerals such as cobalt, lithium, copper, and tantalum.

According to the statement, “he called for a paradigm shift from Africa, being mere exporters of raw materials to becoming leaders in value-added processing and high-value mineral supply chains.

“As chair of the Africa Mineral Strategy Group (AMSG), I work closely with my counterparts across the continent to advance a shared agenda of value addition, resource mobilization, and responsible development.

 “Our focus is clear -unlocking inclusive growth from Africa’s vast mineral wealth.”

Reiterating the need for cooperation, Alake stressed that building resilient, transparent, and ethical mineral supply chains requires multi-stakeholder collaboration between governments, the private sector, civil society, and local communities.

“Nigeria is ready to work with global partners to promote responsible sourcing, encourage beneficiation, and deliver long-term economic value.”