***Says ‘Business-as-Usual’ Era Over as Sector Embraces Transparency, Digitization
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, has declared that the era of impunity, inefficiency, and opaque dealings in Nigeria’s mining industry has ended, as the sector enters a new phase of transparency, digitization, and global competitiveness under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Speaking at the 10th edition of the Nigeria Mining Week held on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, in Abuja, Alake announced that the sector has attracted over $1 billion in direct foreign funding within the last 18 months — a testament to the success of ongoing reforms aimed at making solid minerals a cornerstone of Nigeria’s economic diversification.
“We are no longer doing business as usual. There is a new sheriff in town. The Solid Minerals Ministry has become one of the most transparent and corruption-free ministries in Nigeria because our operations are now fully digitized,” Alake said.
He explained that the ministry’s digital transformation has eliminated physical contact between investors and officials, curbing corruption and accelerating efficiency in licensing and regulation.
The minister further revealed that President Tinubu will soon commission a multi-hundred-million-dollar lithium processing plant in Nasarawa State, a flagship project aligned with the administration’s commitment to local value addition and industrialization.
According to Alake, Nigeria’s mining sector suffered decades of stagnation due to weak governance and a lack of political courage. However, President Tinubu’s “bold and knowledge-driven leadership” has revived long-abandoned projects and restored investor confidence.
“All leaders come into office with the best intentions, but only those with vision and courage can turn ideas into reality. President Tinubu has demonstrated that leadership by reviving projects and policies neglected for decades,” he added.
He emphasized that the reforms are part of a broader strategy to make mining a major GDP contributor, strengthen local content, attract responsible investors, and curb the activities of illegal miners who once operated “with reckless abandon.”
While commending industry players for their commitment, Alake said collaboration between government, investors, and miners remains crucial to achieving sustainable growth.
“Without you the stakeholders, miners, and investors there would be no success story to tell. Together, we are climbing with both hands to reposition Nigeria’s mining sector for sustainable development,” he concluded.
