Dele Alake

I wish all Muslim faithful a joyous and peaceful Eid celebration. May this season bring renewed hope, blessings, and continued unity to our dear country.

I received HE President Bola Tinubu on his arrival at the Fairmont Hotel, Windsor, ahead of the State Visit. We look forward to the scheduled engagements that will follow.

I witnessed the signing of an agreement between the Africa Finance Corporation and the Solid Minerals Development Fund to jointly fund three major initiatives, including a $1.3 billion alumina refinery. This means jobs, technology, foreign exchange, and real contribution to our GDP over the long term. The numbers are strong, but what matters more is viability. This is how we grow mining’s real contribution to our economy. We have the minerals. With this partnership, we are putting serious capital behind developing them properly.

Today, I received the Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, H.E. Pasquale Salvaggio. I reaffirmed our readiness to partner with Canada to strengthen our mining sector. Canada’s expertise and technology can support the reforms we are driving to grow the industry, attract credible investors, and uphold global standards. Our focus is formalising artisanal operations, building local capacity, and offering clear incentives such as tax waivers on mining equipment and full profit repatriation after statutory obligations are met. We also agreed to set up a joint working group to define priority areas and timelines. The goal is to ensure tangible results that benefit both countries.

I’ve been re-elected as Chairman of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group, and I’m grateful to my fellow ministers for the trust they’ve shown in me again. I was first elected in 2024 at the Future Minerals Forum, and this renewed mandate came at our 2026 AGM in Riyadh. The group has also agreed on a stronger leadership structure that reflects Africa’s regions, because inclusion and balance matter if we want this platform to work. My focus remains that African countries must work together to get real value from our mineral resources. That means agreeing on basic contributions, being accountable to one another, and putting a proper budget framework in place so the AMSG can function credibly and effectively. Beyond governance, I’ve been clear that minerals alone won’t transform our economies. We need infrastructure, aligned policies, and deliberate value addition. The real work is designing financing and governance that attract investment while supporting long-term growth, stability, and shared prosperity across the continent.

Today, I met with the Saudi Arabian Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, Ibrahim Al-Khorayef, ahead of the Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh, and I am encouraged by how far Nigeria has come in the solid minerals sector. We are moving beyond exporting raw materials. We now have a high-purity gold refinery operating in Lagos, three more in development, and a 600 million dollar lithium processing plant in Nasarawa ready for commissioning. These projects are helping position Nigeria as a serious player in the minerals needed for the global energy transition. I commended Saudi Arabia for using the forum to connect countries across regions and made it clear that Nigeria wants to deepen this partnership. There are areas where they have strong expertise and others where we do, and I believe we can work together on training, technology transfer, and mineral exploration. Following last year’s forum, we set up a joint working group with the Saudi Chamber of Commerce, and its report is now ready. I also stressed that mineral traceability, environmental and social standards, and proper mine rehabilitation must be at the heart of any collaboration if we want to build lasting investor confidence.

As we enter 2026, I want to personally wish every Nigerian a happy New Year. This is a season to reflect on how far we have come and to renew our commitment to building a stronger country. My prayer is that the year ahead brings steady progress to your work, your families, and the dreams you hold close. As Minister of Solid Minerals Development, I remain deeply committed to unlocking the full potential of our mineral resources in ways that create real jobs, strengthen local communities, and add lasting value to our economy. Thank you for the trust and support you continue to show. Together, with patience and shared responsibility, we will keep moving Nigeria forward.

At this special time of the year, I extend my sincere goodwill to you and your loved ones. I wish you a season marked by peace, enduring joy, and love. May these blessings remain with you at Christmas and throughout the year ahead. On behalf of my family and the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, I wish you a merry Christmas and a prosperous new year.

At the South West Leaders Conference in Akure, I spoke with our South West leaders about how far we’ve come in reforming Nigeria’s solid minerals sector. When President Bola Ahmed Tinubu launched the Renewed Hope Agenda, he gave us a clear mission to make Nigeria a nation where everyone can thrive. In the Ministry of Solid Minerals, we’ve worked hard to reflect that vision through real reforms and accountability. We set up the Mining Marshals to tackle insecurity and illegal mining. So far, over 90 mining sites have been reclaimed, 300 offenders prosecuted, and peace is returning to mining communities. Our revenues have gone from ₦8.6 billion in 2022 to ₦38 billion in 2024 and ₦30 billion already recorded this year. The South West alone contributed ₦7.2 billion. This region has always been a hub of enterprise. From Segilola Gold in Osun, Nigeria’s most successful gold project to hundreds of active quarry and exploration sites, our people are showing what’s possible with integrity and hard work. We’ve also made it law for companies to sign Community Development Agreements before mining begins. In just two years, 45 South West communities have done so more than double the record of the previous fifteen years. Our next steps include value addition, more processing plants, and stronger partnerships to make mining a true driver of jobs and growth. I’m proud of what we’ve achieved, but even more determined about what’s ahead.

At the China Mining Conference in Tianjin, I invited investors to take a deeper look at Nigeria’s solid minerals sector. Our reforms are paying off, stronger security through the Mining Marshals and satellite monitoring, and better technology like the Electronic Mining Cadastre (EMC+) and the NMRDS have made mining safer and easier to manage. As chairman of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group, I’m focused on strengthening regional cooperation and shared standards so Africa can benefit fully from its resources. We’re also expanding the Solid Minerals Development Fund to support early exploration and reduce investor risk. Nigeria offers vast potential in lithium, gold, lead-zinc, barite, and rare earth metals. Our goal is not just to mine, but to build a competitive value chain that drives clean energy, industry, and sustainable growth.

It is a pleasure to be recognised by the South Carolina House of Representatives for my work in governance and public service. Receiving this recognition and the African Leadership Award for Solid Minerals Development in New York was truly meaningful. This acknowledgment strengthens my resolve to continue reforms in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector, promoting transparency, tackling illegal mining, and driving local value addition. Our goal remains the same, to create jobs, attract investment, and build a stronger, more self-reliant Nigeria.

As we celebrate Nigeria at 65, I reflect on how far we’ve come and the work still ahead. Our freedom is a gift, but it is also a duty, to strengthen our unity and build a nation where fairness and opportunity are real for all. May this Independence Day remind us of what we can achieve together. Happy Independence Day.

Together with H.E. Vice President Kashim Shettima, I co-chaired the Second African Mineral Strategy Group Roundtable in New York during UNGA. Our discussions centered on how Africa can move from being a supplier of raw minerals to a creator of real value. We reflected on four urgent priorities: adding value through local processing and manufacturing, protecting our data sovereignty with AMREC and PARC, mobilizing Africa-led investments, and securing our vast deposits of critical minerals for the future. These conversations are vital to ensure our resources work for our people by creating jobs, building technology, and forging partnerships that respect Africa’s rightful place in the global economy.

It is an honour to have been named African Champion of the Year by the African Professionals of Australia (APA). This recognition, given at the Australia-Africa Diaspora Investment Forum in Perth on September 5, means a great deal. This reinforces my commitment to strengthening reforms in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector and to deepening our engagement with Africans around the world. The diaspora is a vital partner in our shared journey of development, investment, and innovation. I celebrate APA for creating such a strong platform for African professionals in Australia, and I look forward to continuing our collective work for the progress of our continent.

I have directed the mining marshals to seal off an illegal gold mining site in Gwagwalada, following fresh intelligence of unlawful activity in the area. This action became necessary to protect residents and avert environmental dangers. Earlier this month, our marshals shut down a similar site in the District 2 Extension layout, where sixteen suspects were arrested. The Ministry’s Mines Inspectorate has inspected the site at Gwagwalada and confirmed full compliance with my directive. A comprehensive investigation is ongoing to identify the root causes and recommend preventive measures. Meanwhile, the marshals, under ACC John Attah Onoja, have placed both sites under 24-hour surveillance until the inquiry is completed. I strongly advise residents to avoid these locations. Illegal mining not only destroys the environment but also endangers lives. We remain firm in our resolve to eradicate illegal mining nationwide. To strengthen enforcement, the Ministry is fast-tracking the deployment of satellite surveillance technology to monitor mining operations across the country.

In Yokohama, I met with the president of the Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC), Mr. Michio Daito, to advance discussions on Japanese investment in Nigeria’s mining sector. I highlighted President Tinubu’s reforms, Nigeria’s skilled workforce, improving infrastructure, and incentives such as tax holidays and duty waivers. Japan requires critical minerals, and Nigeria is ready to supply them, processed locally in line with our value-addition policy. With the Nigeria Solid Minerals Corporation as partner, we agreed to strengthen technical exchanges and establish direct engagement. Nigeria is open to serious mining investment.

At the TICAD Business Expo & Conference in Japan, I had the opportunity to share what we’ve been doing in Nigeria’s mining sector. One of the most important steps we’ve taken is to move away from simply exporting raw solid minerals. Instead, our policy now focuses on adding value at home. In just the last two years, this approach has attracted about $800 million in investments for mining factories. Three major plants are already in place and getting ready for inauguration. This is a big step toward creating jobs, boosting government revenue, and building real capacity within the country. Nigeria is open to genuine partnerships with foreign mining companies. What we want are investors who are ready to do legitimate business, those who will help create jobs, pay their taxes, and transfer technology that strengthens our economy. At the same time, we understand the needs of investors, which is why the government ensures that foreign businesses can easily repatriate their profits when they choose to.

Today, I received a delegation from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), led by Mr. Tom Parker, to discuss a partnership between the Federal Government and the agency. The initiative is designed to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to detect, investigate, and prosecute financial crimes linked to conflict and terrorism, particularly those associated with the solid minerals sector. During our meeting, the team commended the measures we have already taken, especially the establishment of the Mining Marshals, which they regard as a significant step toward addressing illegal mining. Since their deployment, the Marshals have been active in arresting and prosecuting illegal miners. Encouragingly, we are already seeing a shift, as many operators are now working to regularise their activities and comply with the law. In addition, the President has approved the deployment of a satellite-based monitoring system to enhance the surveillance of mining operations. This will allow us to identify incidents in real time and ensure timely intervention by security personnel. We welcome the support of the UNODC in this critical effort. Strengthening our institutional capacity to combat illicit financial flows and criminal activity in the mining sector is essential to protecting Nigeria’s natural resources and national security.

We have pledged our support for a Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) initiative to establish Africa’s largest rare earth and critical minerals processing plant, driven by a $400 million investment from Hasetins Commodities Ltd in Nasarawa State. This project represents over 10,000 new jobs, genuine skills transfer, and a significant step toward processing our minerals domestically. Our appreciation goes to Prince Jidayi and his team for their foresight and alignment with President Tinubu’s vision for value addition and economic diversification. The Federal Government is fully committed to this project. We will provide all necessary institutional support because initiatives like this bring us closer to our long-term national objectives.