Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, has been named African Champion of the Year by the African Professionals of Australia (APA), in recognition of his leadership in reforming the mining sector and fostering diaspora engagement.
The award was presented during the Australia-Africa Diaspora Investment Forum, held on September 5, 2025, at the Pan Pacific Hotel in Perth, alongside the Africa Down Under (ADU) Mining Conference. The event drew top government officials, investors, and professionals from across Africa and the diaspora.
APA WA President, Dr. Toyosi Craig, and APA Chairman, Mr. Tommy Adebayo, jointly conferred the Certificate of Recognition and the 2025 African Professional Champion of the Year Award on Dr. Alake. Among the dignitaries in attendance were Ambassador Anwar Muktar, Consul General of Ethiopia, and Ambassador Dr. Jane Adams, Consul General of Nigeria.
Representing the Minister, Mr. Martin Imonite, Managing Director/CEO of the Nigeria Solid Minerals Company, delivered his keynote address. He reaffirmed Dr. Alake’s commitment to advancing reforms in the solid minerals sector while strengthening partnerships with African professionals globally.
The forum also featured high-level panel discussions on investment, business opportunities, expert recruitment, and emerging trends across Africa. Speakers underscored the importance of harnessing the expertise of diaspora professionals to accelerate the continent’s development.
Founded in 2007, the African Professionals of Australia has grown into one of the largest African professional networks in the country, with over 1,500 members from more than 20 African nations, spanning medicine, engineering, IT, law, accounting, education, and community development. The organisation serves as a platform for collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and collective impact between Africans and Australians.
