Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, has urged world leaders and industry stakeholders to embrace global collaboration in driving a sustainable energy transition, emphasizing that the future of electricity, transportation, and global prosperity hinges on decisions made today.
Speaking at the OECD Forum in Paris, Dr. Alake said:
> “With the emergence of the global energy transition, there has never been a more critical moment for decisive leadership. Let us embrace this opportunity—not just to discuss change, but to drive it.”
He highlighted mining’s critical role in the transition to cleaner energy, stressing that sustainable site selection, optimized operations, waste management, and environmental responsibility must become the new standard.
Dr. Alake outlined Nigeria’s strides in reforming its mining sector to attract global investors. These include import duty waivers, tax holidays, and accelerated capital allowances, alongside policy measures that promote domestic processing, sustainability, and infrastructure development.
He revealed that in just the first quarter of 2025, Nigeria:
Generated N6.96 billion in mining license fees,
Formalized over 1,200 artisanal and small-scale mining cooperatives,
Registered 118 private mineral buying centers, and
Processed close to 1,000 title applications through the Mining Cadastral Office.
Beyond Nigeria, Dr. Alake emphasized Africa’s growing share in the global supply of critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, tantalum, and copper, and called for a shift from raw exports to high-value mineral processing on the continent.
> “As Chair of the Africa Mineral Strategy Group, I’m working with counterparts across the continent to unlock value through resource-based industrialization,” he said.
He concluded with a call for multi-stakeholder partnerships to ensure that mineral supply chains are transparent, ethical, and resilient, stressing that Nigeria is open to global cooperation for responsible sourcing and shared economic gains.
“We are ready to work with the world to ensure this transition delivers not only green energy—but inclusive development.”
