Nigeria has emerged as the most attractive global destination for solid minerals investment due to sweeping reforms that guarantee security, transparency, and profitability, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, has declared.
Speaking at the China Mining Conference in Tianjin, Alake urged international investors to raise their stakes in Nigeria’s mining sector, citing ongoing reforms that have already transformed the industry’s fortunes.
His words: “Since September 2023, when this administration assumed office, Chinese companies such as Canmax Technology, Jiuling Lithium, Avatar New Energy Nigeria Company, and Asba have invested over $1.3 billion in lithium processing. The investments have boosted Nigeria’s economic diversification efforts, reduced its dependency on oil and attracted infrastructure, technology transfer, and expertise.”
The minister, who addressed the conference on the theme: “Connect and Collaborate, Co-Build and Co-Share,” said President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to China in September 2024 has further opened the floodgates of foreign capital, with fresh commitments expected to accelerate sectoral growth.
Alake highlighted key reforms undertaken to protect investors and eliminate illegal mining, including the deployment of Mining Marshals and a satellite-powered mines monitoring system.
On the ease of doing business, he listed technology upgrades such as: Electronic Mining Cadastre (EMC+); National Mineral Resources Decision Support System (NMRDS); Regional Centres of Excellence; and Enhanced ministry and agency websites for remote global transactions
“These reforms,” he said, “guarantee improved security of tenure, faster processing of licences, and transparency that investors can trust.”
As chairman of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG), Alake reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening continental collaboration in mineral reporting systems and governance, insisting that Africa must leverage its shared mineral wealth for collective economic independence.
He disclosed that the Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF) and the SMDF-AFC Facility are being positioned to support early-stage exploration and de-risking of investments across the region.
The minister extended a warm invitation to global investors to take advantage of opportunities in lithium, gold, lead-zinc, barite, rare earth elements, and other high-value minerals.
“Nigeria’s vision is not only to extract minerals but to build a globally competitive value chain that supports clean energy transition, job creation, and industrial growth all within responsible mining standards,” he added.
Presenting at a technical session on “Mining in Africa and Policy,” the Director-General of the Nigeria Geological Survey Agency (NGSA), Professor Olusegun Omoniyi Ige, showcased the National Mineral Resources Data System and the country’s extensive aeromagnetic and geochemical data, noting that while progress has been made, more investment is needed to convert proven potential into mined wealth.
The session featured contributions from officials and experts including Mr. Xu Xueyi, Deputy Director-General of the China Geological Survey; H.E. Mohamed Ahmed Taha, Sudan’s Minister of Minerals; Ms. Phumzile Mgcina, South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources; and Mr. Joseph Lebbie, Director-General of
